guide. Mountain bikers riding the SDW in its entirety approach the endeavour in a variety of ways. Some ride the route in stages at different times and others complete the whole route in one go. Of the latter, some will complete it over several days – camping or staying in accommodation along the way – while others will take two days and some seriously fit individuals ride the whole route in one day. Then there are those remarkable people who do what’s known as the South Downs Double, which involves riding the whole route there and back – that’s 320km (200 miles) – in 24 hours!
This guide breaks the SDW route down into three stages, with ‘how to get there’ information for each leg. These stages provide a good day’s ride for mere mortals and can be combined into longer rides for the seriously fit.
Most people riding the SDW do so from west to east because of the prevailing winds – wind direction is an important factor for mountain bikers, especially when covering long distances and particularly on elevated and exposed terrain. It makes sense, therefore, to describe the route from west to east.
As with all the route descriptions in this guide, special attention is paid to the nature of the terrain encountered as well as the major climbs and descents involved and any particular hazards to be aware of. Facilities and services en route are also included.
The other routes in this guidebook are day, half-day and shorter routes around the Downs. They are distributed along the length and breadth of the Downs, which are divided into five areas. The area sections are roughly analogous with the areas covered by the various Ordnance Survey Explorer maps covering the South Downs (see Maps below).
The routes are designed for maximum enjoyment of the mountain biking potential available on the South Downs, hence there is some overlap and repetition in the use of particular stretches of bridleway and byway between several of the routes. Roads are avoided wherever practical, although in many cases brief stretches of road here and there can link up some great off-road trails.
Trail centres
One of several busy road crossings on the SDW (Route 15)
This guidebook does not include route descriptions for the mountain biking trail centres at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park on the Downs between Chichester and Petersfield, at Houghton Forest near Amberley and at Friston Forest near Seaford; nor informal trails such as those at Wild Park and Stanmer Park in Brighton. These dedicated trails are well worth visiting, especially for those with a fondness for singletrack and downhilling.
Getting there and getting around
Essentially, there are three options for getting to the South Downs. Firstly, if you’re lucky enough to live in this wonderful region you can always bike it. The second option is to travel by train. All the main centres along the South Downs are served by mainline routes from London and other parts of the south east. There are also good rail links between the main cities and towns around the Downs and the stations in between. Journey times from London take from less than an hour (52mins from London Victoria to Brighton) to an hour and a half (92mins from Victoria to Chichester). Connections to minor stations will obviously add to your journey time.
All of the rides in this guide either start from or are accessible from nearby railway stations. There are also options for extending or cutting short rides by means of other railway stations near the routes.
Most trains have dedicated space for two bikes, which is hardly adequate. Bikes can also go in the door areas, but this can be a hassle if you have to keep moving your bike to let people on and off. Engineering works often take place at weekends on the southern rail network, and rail replacement buses do not carry bikes – so check before travelling. There are rush hour restrictions on taking bikes on most lines in the south east, so check these out before making your journey. Timetable information, as well as information on engineering works and on bike restrictions, can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk. Or call 08457 484950.
The third option is to travel by car. There are car parks at many sites all the way along the South Downs, which can make travelling by car easier and more convenient (car parks are indicated on the route maps). However, the less traffic there is around the National Park the better for everyone, so please leave your car at home unless using it is unavoidable because of time restrictions, engineering works or long-winded rail connections.
Andy Goldsworthy chalk ball (Route 11)
When to go
The South Downs are superb for mountain biking all year round and each season has its own particular charms. Obviously downland bridleways and byways are at their driest in summer – when you can fairly zip along the ridges and enjoy greater traction on the uphills. But the summer months are also much busier than other seasons, especially at weekends and during the summer holidays, and so require greater vigilance for walkers, horse riders and other people out enjoying the Downs. Spring and autumn are that bit quieter, but the weather and therefore conditions on the ground are obviously less predictable.
Winter can be an excellent time for mountain biking on the Downs, as long as you’re not frightened of getting muddy. However, after prolonged periods of rain the chalk/clay soil in certain areas can be transformed into a highly-adhesive quagmire, completely gumming up your bike and making riding impossible. This is no excuse to avoid the Downs in winter, as there are plenty of well-drained areas where mud isn’t so much of a problem. Those areas prone to mud are indicated in the route descriptions.
Safety
Most of the time, mountain biking is a perfectly safe activity and arguably safer than riding on roads. However, rutted, slippery and loose surfaces are frequently encountered and if you take a tumble at speed, you risk causing considerable damage to yourself. Riding downhill at speed is one of the great joys of mountain biking, but it is essential that you maintain control. If you can’t see who or what is coming round a bend, slow down. Likewise, if you have never ridden a particular downhill before and don’t know what to anticipate, moderate your speed.
Watch out for adders basking on paths
Make sure that your brakes are working efficiently and that your tyres are inflated properly (30–40psi depending on terrain, conditions, your weight and so on). Check that all quick releases are tight and wheels are secure.
Wear a helmet and appropriate clothing, carry a first aid kit, plenty of water, some high-energy snacks, a map, compass and a mobile phone. Wear some sunblock in summer. Carry waterproofs in wet weather. Carry spare inner tubes, a pump and basic tool kit. Carry lights if there’s any chance that you’ll be out after dusk (equipment is covered in more detail below). If you go riding on your own, let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return.
In case of injury or other incident, try to stay calm and assess your situation. If anyone with you is injured remember ‘ABC’ – airway, breathing, circulation (signs of life, blood loss). Make any casualties warm and comfortable and place any unconscious casualties in the recovery position. Try to ascertain your exact position on the map and consider your options for finding shelter, staying put or seeking help. Remember that it may take an emergency team some time to reach you. If you decide to call for help, call 999 and ask for both Police and Ambulance. Be ready to give the location of the incident (grid references, map sheet number, name of the area and description
