The South Downs Way<br>100 miles in just one day!

Many mountain bikers challenge themselves to ride South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne. The 100 miles is usually completed in two or three days but Garry Hall and Richard Sterry from Redhill Cycling Club set out to accomplish the whole route in just one day.



The ride was organised by the British Heart Foundation, ‘for only the very experienced mountain bikers’. The 100 miles is virtually all off road and has 10,000 feet of hill climbing. This is equivalent to riding up the chalky path on Box Hill near Dorking 26 times.



The ride took on a different perspective on 23rd June. Whilst we were riding with Redhill Cycling Club, tragically one of the riders, Tony Rogers, suffered a fatal heart attack. It seemed very fitting that we were raising money for the British Heart Foundation, so we turned our South Downs Way ride into a tribute to Tony. He was a great character and was always willing to give anything a go. The total amount raised is currently £750.



The big day arrived, we were mentally and physically ready and friend Phil arrived at 5am to drive us to Winchester. We saw the sun rise and the weather forecast was dry, but we were unaware of the heavy downpour overnight. After checking in at the Start, we set off at 6.20am. The first 20 miles is the flatter section of the route incorporating only a few hills, this is where we had planned to make some good progress and get to the first check point within 2 hours. The recent rain made the tracks really slippery and the bikes were sliding all over the place. There were narrow ruts, which were fine until a wheel hit the side, and then you were on the floor. Progress was slow with few overtaking opportunities and we were completely covered in mud. The gears were also caked in mud making gear changing difficult. I wondered if we would ever finish if the rest of the course was as difficult as this. The PMA kicked in as I imagined the sun coming out to dry out the trails ahead. On our practice run I clocked up 40mph on the descent to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park on the A3, with a huge grin factor. Due to the wet conditions it was not possible to do much more than 30mph.



It was a quick stop at the check point for my second energy gel, then back on the trail where Garry got a puncture. We changed the tube and I wondered how many more we punctures we would suffer. For the first 40 miles many others had their bikes upside down and a wheel off. Fortunately I use Kevlar tyre liners and the rest of the ride for us was puncture free.



There is a steep chalky decent on the Harting Downs where were came across a rider who had fallen. Garry stopped to help him, my deceleration was less graceful and I found some soft grass to land on. After checking that we were all OK we found a drinking trough at the bottom of the hill. This was ideal to dip the bikes in removing the layers of thick mud and giving the gears a clean.



Cocking was the next check point at the 25 mile point. We could now feel the heat of the sun and it felt like lunch time, unfortunately for us it was only 10.30 and we had 65 miles to go. After another big hill there was a relatively flat section. In the dry this can be quite fast but the ground was still soft and large puddles were sprawled across the track. On a moment’s lack of concentration, I hit a rock and took a tumble. It was not the fall that hurt but the cramp that set in. After a bit of leg massage I was back on my bike. Further on there was a steep grassy descent with chalk at the bottom. Fortunately there was a marshal telling us to walk down the wet chalky bit as it was extremely slippery.



The check point at Bury (42 miles) was most welcome. This was the first of many water top ups and a banana that tasted so much better than the energy bars and gels. We noticed many other riders had support crews following them along the way. This must really boost their morale and provide the help and encouragement they need. We had planned to meet up with some friends at Devil’s Dyke, however at this point in time Devil’s Dyke was a long way off. A few miles later Garry took an opportunity to examine a puddle after a lapse of concentration. Fortunately there was no damage and he carried on.



I was now feeling the pressure of being in the same position for five hours. The rocky surface gave a constant battering on my arms and the continual exercise was taking its toll. It was quite a relief to reach the half way point at Amberley.



One of the best bits of the route is a long gradual descent to Steyning. On a training ride, the fields were full of livestock and it was wise to ride with caution. This time they were empty so we maintained a good speed. After the Steyning check point (59 miles) there is another mammoth 650 foot climb. I was finding this section particularly difficult and when I go to the top found that my bottom bracket (where the pedal arms fit to the frame) was coming undone and was rubbing on the pedals. With the pedals not turning freely and no bottom bracket spanner, I soldiered on a further 4 miles to the next check point. At Devil’s Dyke there were no tools available apart from a hammer and a screwdriver, so we bashed round the nut of the bottom bracket to secure it in place. I am usually well prepared for emergencies, but this one needed that extra help.



Devil’s Dyke was the end of the 65 mile ride (shorter route) where I sought a civilised cup of tea. Garry’s friends came up trumps with some sandwiches and bananas. How nice it was to have some real food again, it made quite a change from the energy bars and drinks. Breakfast at 4am seemed such a long time ago as it was now gone 3pm.



What a difference that break made. I felt as though I had a spring back in my step and the remaining 35 miles would be OK. Within half an hour this feeling had gone and the pain was setting in. Ditchling Hill was another landmark from my London to Brighton days, approaching it from the West gave it a different perspective. The undulating terrain was punishing and exhaustion was setting in. By this stage the wind was gusting quite hard, when on top of the Downs it was another factor to consider to stay on track.



Relieved to descent to the A27 on some good fast trails, we then had a 2 mile climb where the top could be seen from the bottom. This was very demoralising and the relentless climb appeared to take ages. Itford Farm on the A26 was the 84 mile check point. A further water top up and a real push for the last 16 miles. The next hill was a 700 foot climb that went on for 4 miles. More energy bars and gels gave some comfort but this was a real test of mental strength and will power. I had been counting the gates we passed from the start as something to think about, much to Garry’s annoyance. The continual stopping to open the gates disrupted the flow of the ride and my brain was having difficulty at this stage in remembering where I had got up to. My final total was 96 gates from Winchester to Eastbourne. There’s a sad fact!



Alfriston was the penultimate check point with just 9 miles to go. That didn’t seem too bad until we found two more mega hills to accomplish. I had marked on my map the last hill but there was such a strong headwind on the final descent across the golf course, it felt like another hill. Eventually we could see Eastbourne and were glad of the arrows to guide us to the finish at the university sports hall.



Dropping my bike at the entrance, I staggered in at 8.30pm. It was such a relief to have completed the route as this was the toughest physical challenge I had completed. Garry’s family were there to meet us and after a welcome bite to eat we showered before driving home.



The 100 miles took us 14 hours with 12 hours of cycling time. The hills measured up to at least 10,000 feet and I hear this is the toughest single day mountain bike event in England. Thanks to the British Heart Foundation for their superb organisation and to Garry for being a great team mate.



Richard Sterry


The pictures below are of the sun rising as seen from the M3 and a few extras from our practice rides of the South Downs Way.

Event / Article Type
The South Downs Way 100 miles in just one day!