Mountain Biking on the South Downs. Peter Edwards

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      Climbing Bourne Hill (Day 3; photo: Andy Dodd)

The South Downs Way

      The 160km (100-mile) SDW route is set out below in three day stages between 46.5km and 61km in length. These stages are intended as a guide that is very much open to adaptation – subject to your preferred way of tackling the route. You might want to take more or less time to complete the route; you might want to do it all in one go over the course of one, two, three or more days or you might prefer to complete stages at different times.

      The length of stages you ride is contingent on several factors: your fitness; available time; the time of year, weather and ground conditions; transport links and where you choose to stay (see Appendix A for camping and accommodation). If attempting to complete the route in two days, Amberley is roughly halfway, has good train links, pubs and a campsite at nearby Houghton Farm. You will, however, have the tougher of the two days to come if riding west to east (there is no law against riding east to west, but you will be against the prevailing winds). Riding as far as Truleigh Hill YHA (101.5km) gets you well on the way, with a tough 56.5km to Eastbourne to tackle the following day. A four-day itinerary might be approximately: day 1: Winchester to Queen Elizabeth Country Park (QECP) (next to the A3); day 2: QECP to Amberley; day 3: Amberley to Housedean Farm (on the A27 between Brighton and Lewes); day 4: Housedean Farm to Eastbourne.

      There are plenty of pubs, quite a few cafés (listed at the beginning of route descriptions) and sufficient water points (see Appendix B) along or near the SDW. However, make sure you have plenty of water and high-energy snacks with you. Make sure also that you have adequate clothing, tools (including spare inner tubes, a pump and puncture repair kit), maps (or GPS) and a first aid kit. A mobile phone is invaluable in an emergency (see the equipment section above).

      The beech trees near Cheesefoot Head (Day 1)

ROUTE 1

      South Downs Way: Day One – Winchester to Cocking

Start	Winchester train station SU 478 300
Finish	Cocking Hilltop car park SU 875 167
Distance	56.5km (35 miles); 61km (38 miles), via Old Winchester Hill
On Road	16.75km (10½ miles); 16.75km (10½ miles)
Off Road	39.75km (24½ miles); 44.25km (27½ miles)
Percent Off Road	70%
Ascent	1295m (4250ft); via Old Winchester Hill 1370m (4495ft)
Grade	hard
Time	4hrs 30mins–5hrs 30mins
Pub	Various in Winchester; The Bluebell at Cocking
Café	Various in Winchester; QECP café; Moonlight Cottage at Cocking

      Overview

      The terrain at the start of the South Downs Way (SDW), particularly between Winchester and the Meon Valley, is considerably gentler than the more hilly country encountered further east, easing the mountain biker in at the beginning of this long distance, off-road epic. This first day’s route is marginally longer than the following day and arguably that bit easier. However, it should not be underestimated. Climbs include the steep (on-road) then steady (off-road) pull up from Chilcomb to Cheesefoot Head near the start; a tough, steep climb from Coombe Cross to Salt Hill; a long, steady ascent through Queen Elizabeth Country Park (QECP); a fairly steep, steady climb through woodland around Tower Hill and a steep ascent on chalk track to Philliswood Down. The variant route includes Old Winchester Hill, which is a stop-start sort of climb and the final 200m are a killer. The route traverses some fine countryside, with great views south to the Solent and the Isle of Wight near the beginning, and north across the Low Weald, especially from Butser Hill (270m) – the highest point on the South Downs. The route follows a combination of well-maintained bridleways, byways and minor roads and conditions are generally excellent, although some farm tracks can get a bit churned up in wet weather. There are several pubs, cafés and water points at intervals along the route (see map). Many sections of the SDW are popular with mountain bikers, walkers, horse riders and other users – slow down and give way.

      Directions

      1 From Winchester train station head along Station Hill, keep over a mini-roundabout and take the third exit at the onto City Road. At the next continue onto North Walls (B3330). Continue to a fork, bearing to continue on the B3330 along Union Street. Union Street becomes Eastgate Street and continues to a roundabout. Keep onto High Street then turn off the next mini-roundabout onto Chesil Street. Continue to a and turn onto East Hill (SDW). Climb to a fork, bear and continue along Petersfield Road to join a path at the end of the road. Follow СКАЧАТЬ