South Downs Way Mountain Bike Challenge
South Downs Sojourn
Votwo / 07.05.2008
It is thought to have first been travelled over 8000 years ago, way back into the Mesolithic period, with the chalky ridgeline offering wanderers much easier going than the wet and wooded countryside below. What is certainly known is that those early Stone age travellers did not consume anywhere near as many magic ‘Sport Beans’ and Tuna rolls as the 70 or so intrepid votwo cyclists who completed the route last weekend. Also no records exist to confirm whether Stone Age man got through 24 spare inner tubes, required his pedals to be mended after just 5 miles or sneaked a lift in a mini bus along a few sections, however evidence exists to support all of these findings from the 27th and 28th April 2008.
Starting off en masse from the picturesque Tesco car park just off the A34/M3 junction at 9:45am Saturday morning around 70 riders were promised warm sunshine, tough terrain and 5 star accommodation at the days finish point, Washington, around half way to Eastbourne.
As ever aiming to deliver on at least 2 out of 3 promises votwo organised the clouds to burn off around 10:30am and the hills to make arduous going right from the start. Accommodation wise a trailer load of tents was dropped off at the campsite so at least if it rained over night the riders would only get a bit damp rather than fully soaked through.
Early on it was abundantly clear that there was a mix of racing snakes and those seeking to enjoy the scenery as the field strung out along several miles of the route. At the first checkpoint of the day atop Old Winchester Hill lead rider Eliot Challifour was dragging/being dragged along at high speed by Matt Zalewski who looked like a man on a mission (and on a very lightweight bike).
Further back down the field the bikes (and riders!) got slightly heavier and more comfortable looking as they weaved their way in the warm sunshine towards checkpoint 2 at Queen Elizabeth’s Country Park, just below Butser Hill. The fast and flowing grassy descent off Butser Hill was responsible for many childish grins on adult faces and as names were ticked off the list they tucked into cheese rolls before heading off in a South Easterly direction to Cocking where the last CP of the day awaited. Matt the bike mechanic was kept busy here with ripped tyres and a lot of questions starting ‘would you just mind having a little look at my gears ...?’ His box of spare brake pads and cables was getting lighter by the minute.
SleepMonsters
