CYCLIST'S GUIDE TO THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY

Southease Bridge over River Ouse: temporary bridge see below for more

http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Southdowns/article.asp?PageId=3&ArticleId=46

INTRODUCTION

'.. your website is definitely the only really useful one that we've come across on any cycle routes ..'

Hello, my name is Anthony and I live in Petersfield, Hampshire, just over  2 miles from the SDW . 

I often ride along the western and middle sections of the South Downs Way, or SDW.  I have also twice cycled from Winchester to Devils Dyke (Brighton), 65 miles, in one day to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. From Brighton to Eastbourne is another 35 miles, making a total of 100 miles (actually 97 miles, coastal route (footpath only) from Alfriston via Seven Sisters is 100 miles. Now (July 2009) ridden all SDW except few miles between Pyecombe to Ditchling. And you will have climbed  a total of nearly 12,000 feet, 3x Snowdon from sea level !

I thought it would be useful to share my experiences with others, so that they can also enjoy the route. I have tried to note hazards, (eg  cut-off fence posts) as well as water tap locations, comments on terrain, surface etc.

NB: if riding or walking SDW, check dates of Oxfam Trailwalk (usually in mid-July) from Butser (Petersfield) to Brighton and British Heart Foundation bike rides (June 26 & July 31 2010) otherwise you will not be alone ! BHF ride starts Winchester from 6.00 to 8.00 am. See http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Southdowns/events.asp?PageId=10  for more Events on SDW.

I have written this site mainly with cyclists in mind, but I hope that it will also be of use to walkers. There are a few places between Winchester and QEP, Petersfield where the 'walkers' route is different from the 'cyclists'; I will try to note this.

PLEASE email with summary of rides to include, as several queries as to how many miles etc, so would be useful for Site Visitors. Contact email at bottom of this page

(As at  July 2010, over 40,000 different visitors !)

NOTES ON BROAD CONTENT OF SITE (arranged generally as page order of links on left)

Updates

List of updates to route of SDW, or changes noticed. And list of site updates.

General info

Table of height climbed / descend; OS maps; car parks (link to map of location), pay or free; benches to sit on.

Sections 

I have divided this guide into sections of the SDW. The sections and notes are arranged for traveling eastwards, i.e. from Winchester to Eastbourne. I have shown these on the page 'section summary'.  with link to each SDW  section. This has 1 or 2 line description of 'section' with distance. Also where tarmac, grass, bumpiest, steepest parts are.

Each section has notes and photos, many annotated. Just added a link to VIDEO from A3 QEP to Devils Dyke (thanks to Ollie); see Section page for link.

I have now added simple links at bottom of these pages to 'click' to take you to next page. 

There is also a page 'westwards' with photos and a few notes about traveling from Eastbourne to Winchester . This page is getting probably too big, so please excuse multiple screen down; please refer to as some parts easier to see terrain facing the otherway.

Water taps

Maps and some photos, notes on location of water taps. Both on map of whole of SDW and detailed 1:50,000 OS.

Profiles

I have now added detailed elevation profiles for whole of SDW from Winchester to Eastbourne. There are 3 pages; first is Winchester to Devils Dyke, with a profile for each of my 'sections'; second is Devils Dyke to Eastbourne in two sections; third page 'Profile All' is the whole SDW in 3 approx. 30 mile parts.

Aerial photo map

Used Microsoft 'Local live' to trace SDW, with markers. Some places have birds eye view which is very clear. 3D also so can fly along route seeing hills etc. (you need to load 3D software, takes a few minutes, see on local live site).

Distances

Table of times and distances for when I did BHF Randonnee.

Pubs, places to stay

Link to another website with interactive map, contact details etc; I have listed & located some pubs.

Links, things of

Links to various pages, general SDW, cycle clubs, photos, info re things on the Way, eg memorial stones, film James Bond, nature reserve. etc

Food, drink, equipment

I have added a page listing food that I have taken on my rides; also drink, and equipment. I know personal taste etc, but hope some ideas.

General information

This page has a profile and map of location of SDW. I have included a list of car parks. Also where does SDW start? which direction? I will add to as think of things. If using train, check bike restrictions, as I had to change plans recently.

'Visitors' comments, tips, experiences of SDW

A new page to insert any comments that you may have abut SDW, includes ride reports from site visitors. Useful to see what / how other people have tackled SDW.  Email me, as not 'forum'.

Links, things & places of interest

I have included a page of 'things of interest'; there are links in the text to the item on that page for more details etc. The links are underlined . Simply click on to take you there.

Site statistics

A few stats, most popular pages, countries from which visitors have come. Over 17,000 visitors (March 2009) and 40 countries ! please email if you are not from UK as interested to know about your interest in SDW.

Notes re photos

The photographs are mainly thumbnails, so click to open a larger picture; and then for some photos, 'hover' mouse at bottom right, click on exploding arrow icon to enlarge further, or depending on browser etc, mouse arrow changes to a '+' ( may need to move off picture then back on again).

Comments and Route condition update

Please email if you note any changes to surface etc, as I may not have ridden along some parts for several months.

I will include in 'Updates' page under' route update'.

 See 'site stats' page for more details (I am intrigued at so many visits from other countries than UK/GB; please email me ! Is the SDW that famous that it is known world wide !?) So I hope that finding useful; most people come from cycle magazine forums. If by Yahoo / Google search, please let me know 'key words' used. Thanks. Please email (at bottom of this page) any suggestions of things to add etc]

 If you have found this site useful , please send me a short email (link here and at bottom of this page). Put subject as 'SDW'.

My Diary

I have added a page (June 2009) with few short notes of my rides, including road, sportives and SDW etc.

Copyright

NB: Maps in this website produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

As to photos, I have taken these, so I do not mind if used for private purposes, but please give source and link to this page etc. and appreciate if you send me an email for information. Thanks.

Disclaimer

The information on this site is from my own experiences; I do not accept any liability for any injury, damage, inconvenience etc ; as rain may have formed new gullies, puddles, large stones in  puddles etc, exposed tree roots, water taps may not work, surfaces changed and any other hazards not mentioned; also cows may be unfriendly !. Basically, you need to keep your eyes open, and ride sensibly and enjoy !  

Banner

The banner at the top of each page was very kindly designed for me by my work colleague & friend Vernon..

CONTACT ME

NB: Transferred web host, so email changed mailto:anthony@bikedowns.co.uk