Tom's South Downs Ride (Awesome)

Start - Arriving at around 6.40 in Winchester was like stepping into a Zombie film. Only a few half-awake commuters and a street sweeper, all wondering what this strange person in bright blue and orange lycra was doing with a bike laden down with all sorts of energy gels and drinks. Stacie took a quick photo in front of the statue of King Alfred the Great, whoever he is!

I started pedalling East at 6:50. Down a short road section then straight into climbing Telegraph Hill, gaining about 100 metres of elevation almost immediately. Only another 4000 metres of climbing to go!

After crossing the A272 the reward was a smooth and fast section of double track through some trees and then out onto farm tracks. Making good pace I quickly reach the Milburys, which many will recognise from the Sunday club runs.

Another climb up the familiar Beacon Hill is followed with a fast descent into Exton, further enhanced by a short trip along the Meon Valley Railway. I quickly found myself pointing straight up Old Winchester Hill, where you can legitimately climb up either a horse-trampled bridleway or the tarmac road. After another fast descent I passed what was once HMS Mercury and began climbing a grueling loose gravel/rooty climb towards the top of Butser Hill.

After yet more climbing through QECP the SDW heads towards South Harting and pops out along the popular road Hill Climb course. This is another place I was able to set a good pace, picking up time on the undulating smooth open tracks and roads. This type of trail continues almost all the way to Amberley, the half way point.

Although I hadn't originally planned to stop at Amberley for lunch, I started to get a headache which was likely to develop into a migraine. The only cafe offers tea cakes/scones etc. so perhaps finding a pub in town or stopping somewhere else would be worthwhile for a more substantial meal.

After a 45 minutes stop for 'lunch' and some Ibuprofen I set off again only to be greeted with a mostly off road 150 metre climb that must average in excess of 10%,. In my mind there were parts hitting 25% (1:4) but it’s hard to judge these things. Once at the top of this climb it flattens out into a jaunt across some smooth grassy fields with flocks of sheep leaving little obstacles to circumnavigate.

Unfortunately the climb out of Amberley has pretty much set the tone from this point onwards. Steep punishing climbs that reduce your average quite considerably, followed by rapid descents straight down the other side of the hill with no chance to travel along any ridges and no real chance for recovery.

After descending from the fantastic stopping point at Devils Dyke, the trail starts to become a bit odd. Travelling through rural countryside for almost 7 hours it then becomes quite suburban, with major road crossings (although most use bridges) and railways intersecting the path. I found navigation became more difficult here, which I think is due in part to tiredness, and the fact there is a blue sign for bridleways used alongside a blue sign for the South Downs Way, with only a subtle difference in colour.

Getting through to Alfriston the punishment doesn't ease up for a gentle trip into Eastbourne. It actually gets worse with an incredibly steep climb and then a shockingly fast tree lined chalky descent into Jovington. At this point the light was fading fast and the trees made certain sections very dark. Being confident on the bike in these sorts of conditions goes a long, long way!

I realised I wasn't going to make the last train home at 9.04 and didn't really want to spend the night in Eastbourne, so I decided to bomb down the road from Jovington to Friston, then through East Dean and into Eastbourne. I can’t tell you a lot about Eastbourne - the majority of it is blurred houses, cars and tarmac whilst the rest of it is a Train Station.

I missed the original train but a helpful Ticket Collector printed me a route card that took me on the following journey. Eastbourne - Lewes. Lewes - Brighton. Brighton - Hove. Hove - Ford. Ford - Portsmouth and Southsea where I got off at the wrong stop and was highly confused when the station sign said Fratton. I arrived in Eastbourne at 9:31 to catch the train at 9.35 and got into Portsmouth at around midnight.

Everything was unceremoniously dumped into the back of the car and whilst on the way home I had the delights of a Chicken World burger. I vaguely remember having a shower to clean off the sweat, mud and cow crap before sleeping for 10 hours straight. My feet were an interesting site with the bottoms resembling the worst case of crinkly skin I've ever seen after being wet for nearly 14 hours.

Surveying the damage...1 stripped inner chain ring bolt at Butser Hill, and 1 knocking headset from around Exton which persisted despite a quick tightening, and possibly the worst smelling pair of socks ever.

Advice for first timers... Sleep is more important than eating before you start. I'd rather get up an hour later and eat on the bike than lose an hour of sleep. I got up at 5.15 as it is. You will have plenty of time to eat whilst riding and you can eat/drink en-route to the start.

Bring a selection of things to eat. I survived on energy gels, energy drinks, high 5 coconut bars and berry bars. I quickly got bored of the them though! On that note - eat drink eat drink eat drink eat drink eat drink.

Don't expect, nor want it to contain epic singletrack, jumps, berms etc. This is a challenge for your fitness not your bike handling skills. If you have the right mindset you will enjoy it. If you have the wrong mindset you won’t even get halfway.

Chat! I spoke to a fair few cyclists on my way which helps to pass some of the less interesting sections.

Stop at every water tap to refill bottles or cool yourself off if it’s hot. With little or no tree cover, keeping cool is a necessity.

Would I do it again? Yes, I always knew I might not finish so just to finish was a great achievement for me. Prior to this my longest mountain bike ride was only 44 miles with at least 14 of those being on the road. I learnt a lot about pacing and nutrition during the ride. Next up is a look at doing the South Downs Way at night with some of the other MTB contingent and after that the South Downs Double!