- Home
- The trail
- Rides
- SDW in a day
- Water taps
- Information
- Videos
Tackling the 100 miles and 11,975 feet (3,650 metres) of the South Downs Way in 1 day is not an easy feat. But, definitely worth it!
Staying the night before at the Premier Inn in Eastbourne, we hit the road at 4am.
This ride started from Eastbourne, in the thinking we would get the hardest part of the ride (Eastbourne to Amberley) completed first when our legs were freshest, leaving the easier part (Amberley to Winchester) to our tired legs.
The SDW starts with a shock in Eastbourne, a nice stinger of a hill to start with next to the SDW signpost. The weather started off misty, and damp, with a cold headwind.
By the time we reached halfway, the temperature had increased and the sun broke thorugh the clouds.
The second half from Amberley to Winchester is certainly the easiest. We pushed on with tired legs and found the energy to make the final 10 miles quickly.
Arriving in Winchester at 9.15pm. 100 miles in 17hrs 05mins total time, 11,900 ft (3650 m) climbing.
Link to Garmin route.
Staying the night before at the Premier Inn in Winchester, James and I hit the road at 4am.
A cold start to the day soon warmed up as the sun rose.
Being a Saturday meant there were plenty of walkers on the trail, as well as lots of other riders doing the full Winchester to Eastbourne route.
We stopped at Kithurst Hill near Amberley for a much welcomed lunch, provided By John, who joined us onwards to Devil's Dyke.
After the 75 mile mark the miles seemed to slow down, but we carried on and soon we could see the coast of Eastbourne in the distance.
Arriving in Eastbourne at 8.15pm. 98 miles in 16hrs 14mins total time, 11,400 ft climbing. An hour quicker than 2018 time!
Link to Garmin route.
After a failed attempt at the end of June due to dodgy knee, an August ride was planned.
Staying the night before again in Winchester and 3.45am start.
Riding through Matterley Bowl festival in Winchester was weird to say the least. The festival cuts through the SDW, so you end up riding through the floodlights, trailers and fences, quite odd!
Unfortunately, the first 2 water taps (Temple Valley and Lomer Farm) were out of order. Onwards to QECP.
The off road route from Winchester to Droxford adds about an hours riding and 1000ft extra climbing compared to the road route from last year.
Making sure I refilled water as often as possible and kept fuelled. Being the hottest day of the year made things hard going, but the wind direction was in my favour.
Arriving in Eastbourne at 9pm. 98 miles in 17hrs 15mins total time, 11,200 ft climbing. Pretty happy with that!
Link to Garmin route.
After 3 training rides starting in May 2017, building up distance each time (50 / 60 and 75 miles), in July 2017 I attempted to ride the South Downs Way in a Day.
Staying the night before in Winchester, leaving at 4am in the dark and seeing the sunrise over the Winchester hills was envigorating.
I took plenty of snacks (6 Peanut Clif bars, 6 Hi5 flapjack bars, 6 energy gels), 2 x 750ml water bottles and 2 litre Camelbak, making sure I filled up at every water tap I passed.
As it was midweek there were not too many people on the trail, but it was nice chatting to fellow riders and walkers along the way. Always nice when they hold the gate open for you :-)
After crossing the A27 and passing Falmer, I knew I just had to keep going, as the end was getting closer. Once passed Alfriston the miles were hurting, but the smile was getting bigger.
Seeing Eastbourne over the the hill was a great sight, and swooping down towards the Kiosk at the end was a brilliant feeling.
Left Winchester at 4am, arrived in Eastbourne at 8.30pm. 96 miles in 16hrs 30mins total time, 10,846 ft climbing. Not the fastest, but I enjoyed it all, even the pain.
Very happy to say, South Downs Way in a day, is done!!!
Link to Garmin route.
