My second go at this. I did the 100 mile event last year and
said never again. This year I entered the 65 mile event to
Devil's Dyke. First train to Winchester then a mad dash to
the start. A quick sign-on and the 100 or so riders
(interestingly outnumbered by over 2 to 1 by the 100 milers
who had departed at 0600) all headed off up the first hill
(fortunately tarmac). The SDW was extended from Buriton
several years ago and the 21mile extension to Winchester has
a lot of on-road sections but also some lovely descents.
Chatted to several riders who were trying the 65 as a
prelude to the full event next year. First serious uphill
climb up a root-strewn gully was followed shortly by the
checkpoint at Butser Hill and the best bit of the whole ride
IMO, the screaming 40mph descent down to the A3, all on
grass. You soon learn on this ride that you pay for your
descents with wickeder and wickeder ascents; this was
certainly the case at Cocking, Amberley and Beeding. By this
time I had caught up a lot of 100 milers (lower numbers,
including one old boy who was walking most of the hills,
hope he made it in time)) and was kicking myself for not
having entered the whole event. Climbing Truleigh Hill just
before the end of the 65 miler I thought _I can carry on_
but after the big finish it all seemed to run out,
especially after the [censored] of a climb the other side of the
Dyke. My lunch stop/broom wagon rendezvous at Ditchling
proved too much to resist and I had already decided to pack
there when I arrived. I felt sorry for the 35 milers who
were doing the Dyke to Eastbourne, but was content just to
see Firle Beacon rearing up menacingly to the East. Maybe
next year!
www.bhf.org.uk for details
Trailbreak do the ride over two days in September, but
not cheap.