Ride the South Downs Way

Lynds

Lynds

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 December 2009
Messages
417
Visit site
Its always been on the bucket list, has anyone else done this and could share some tips?

I'm wondering mainly

- where to leave the horse lorry in Winchester or other end?
- how to get back to the lorry when I've finished? (husband will be with me on a bike so could go on train maybe?)
- best places to stop?

Any help much appreciated!
 
I did this with a more endurance minded friend in 2002 or there abouts.

Sadly don't remember very much! We had a third person who drove landrover and trailer to each night stop. We mostly corralled ponies in fields and slept in tents.
 
There is an interactive map which would help with finding places to stay but you will have to leave the trail to get to most accommodation. There is a large car park at the Winchester start but I'm not sure I would want to leave a horsebox there for any length of time and you have to cross a motorway bridge to get on to the route itself. It is also incredibly hilly and there aren't many places to get water on route which means having to carry it. Having cycled it many times over 2 days there are parts which I think a horse might struggle to access, at one place you have to cross a railway line and the gates are definitely not horse friendly. My initial thought is (if you are close enough) try a few day rides using the interactive and OS maps to see how you find it.
 
It was challenging when I did it, but if didn't mind steep bits / slippery chalky bits that have been decimated by 4x4 traffic / over / under motorways and main roads and tricky gates, it was fine. Water, I think there were troughs on way, and our trailer person met us. I think we did it early enough in year wasn't very hot. I think you'd need someone to take lorry back, and to crew for you in car and meet you daily with water.

I also think you'd be safer and have more fun with an additional person riding / cycling with you.

I don't think there was much you wouldn't meet doing some of the harder GB EGB rides.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top