casualties. Be prepared to supply the numbers of any phones carried by the party; describe the nature and time of the incident and weather conditions at the incident site, equipment at the site, including warm clothing and shelter, distinguishing features and markers at the site, and the location from which you are phoning if different from the incident site.
Equipment
Your bike
Out on the bridleways and byways of the South Downs you will encounter mountain bikers riding machines costing between a few hundred pounds and a few thousand. Your choice of bike is contingent on a number of factors but, generally, how much you spend depends on the relation between your disposable income and your degree of enthusiasm. There is no doubt that a top of the range, lightweight bike with high-specification components can only add to the enjoyment of off-road mountain biking. Better-made bikes also tend to perform more efficiently and, arguably, need less maintenance. However, when components need replacing they are also going to be more expensive.
There is little point spending thousands on a bike that only sees action a few times a year, but for those who are serious about their sport a good quality machine is essential. However, choosing the right type of mountain bike for you is a far more important business than the relative cost alone and it is best to seek the advice of industry professionals (see Appendix C) before buying.
Choosing the right frame size is a crucial factor, bearing in mind that a smaller frame than you would need for a road bike is better suited for off-road mountain biking. Front suspension forks are recommended for the often hard and bumpy flint-studded downland chalk tracks: but most mountain bikes come with front suspension forks as standard these days.
The South Downs are as appropriate terrain as any for full-suspension bikes, although many people prefer to ride ‘hardtail’ machines – that is, front suspension only. This is a matter of personal preference dictated in part by the kind of riding you do.
The steep climb from the Arun Valley (Route 12)
Tools and maintenance
Whatever choices you make about the set-up of your bike, bear in mind that the more use it gets the more maintenance it will require. However expensive or inexpensive your bike, it needs to be looked after. By nature, mountain biking causes wear and tear, especially in wet and muddy conditions. It is important to keep your bike at least reasonably clean and keep its moving parts lubricated. A well-maintained bike performs better and its components will last longer.
In dry periods during the summer months, many paths on the South Downs develop a thick layer of fine chalk or earth dust. Combined with ordinary chain oil this dust produces a highly effective grinding paste that will punish your bike’s drive-train. Using a ‘dry’ teflon chain lubricant reduces this phenomenon.
Learning the basics of bike maintenance and equipping yourself with elementary bike tools is a good idea. You should carry a small toolkit and pump with you while out riding and, at the very least, be able to repair a puncture, fix a broken chain and adjust your brakes and gears when necessary. A basic toolkit including a puncture repair kit, spare inner tube, tyre levers, allen key set, spoke key and chain link extractor can be carried in a saddle pack or backpack.
Negotiating the woodland track tree roots (Route 13)
Helmet
Most mountain bikers wear a helmet with very good reason. The nature of the activity means that taking a tumble is a likelihood at some point. If this occurs at speed you are at risk of serious injury. As well as injuries such as broken bones and serious gashes, a head injury can be fatal or cause permanent disability or paralysis. A helmet may not prevent such serious injuries in some cases, but in others it might.
First aid kit
Anecdotal evidence suggests that many mountain bikers don’t carry a first aid kit with them. Granted that a first aid kit isn’t much use if you break a collarbone – a not uncommon injury among mountain bikers – but there are plenty of occasions where a dressing and antiseptic wipes can be very useful. Downland chalk is full of hard, sharp flints that can cause nasty gashes. All the more reason to wear a helmet. The accident and emergency departments of most Sussex and East Hampshire hospitals are no strangers to casualties with mountain biking related injuries: these are at Winchester, Chichester, Worthing, Brighton and Eastbourne.
Clothing
There is no shortage of biking-specific clothing on the market and specialised off-road gear comprises a significant part of this. With the funds and inclination hundreds of pounds can be spent on equipping yourself for mountain biking, and for the dedicated enthusiast this may be money well spent. However, there are some essentials worth considering even for infrequent off-roaders. Wickable base layers, underwear, mid-layers and top layers can make what is often a sweaty activity much more comfortable. Stopping for a breather in a sweat-drenched cotton top is asking for trouble even in a light breeze. Shorts or wickable undershorts with a padded seat ensure a more comfortable relationship with your saddle, especially on longer rides.
Climbing towards Bignor Hill (Route 12)
Biking-specific waterproofs are designed for a close fit and freedom of movement so as to avoid drag or getting caught up in your bike’s moving parts. Waterproofs should be a ‘breathable’ material – such as Gore-Tex.
Many mountain bikers use the SPD pedal system with shoes that clip on to the pedal using cleats, which provides greater stability and makes pedalling more efficient by engaging the ‘backstroke’. Whether using SPDs, ‘platform’ pedals or other systems, waterproof overshoes or waterproof socks can be useful in wet conditions.
Navigation
Many walkers and mountain bikers now use GPS (global positioning systems) for navigation: a number of biking-specific GPS are now on the market. GPS can make navigation easy and accurate and dispense with the need to carry maps. On the down side, they are not cheap and they are not infallible. For those without a GPS, a map and compass are just as useful for mountain bikers in unfamiliar territory as they are for walkers, although very few of the former seem to carry compasses. Although waymarking on the South Downs is extensive, it is still possible to lose your way – especially in wooded areas – and a compass can help prevent you heading miles off-course.
Hydration
There are a number of dedicated water points for walkers and mountain bikers to use at points along the SDW (see Appendix B), but always make sure you have plenty of water with you, especially during the summer and on longer rides. Many mountain bikers use hydration packs – a water reservoir, usually with one to two litre capacities, with a drinking tube usually carried in a purpose-designed, small backpack. Hydration packs allow you to carry more water than water bottles carried in frame-mounted bottle cages – which are more popular with road cyclists, and can easily be dislodged when riding off-road. Be sure to be adequately hydrated before setting off on your ride.
Poppy field above South Heighton (Route 24; photo: James Stevenson)
Biking-specific backpacks, which are designed to carry water reservoirs, come in various capacities and are usually designed to carry the essentials in internal pockets: tools, pump, waterproofs,
