South Downs Way Double
Cycle 200 miles, climb 22,000ft and open 200 gates in under 24 hours
For thousands of years, people have been crossing the South Downs using nothing but the power of their own two legs and in all that time, every traveller has been looking for the easiest route: what’s the quickest way over the next hill – around it, over it, or across its flanks? Eventually, out of all those small, individual decisions a trail emerged, worn into the chalk over countless journeys.
The end result of all those collective decisions and knowledge is the South Downs Way.
Of course, of all those people over all those years, someone’s got to have made the quickest journey, there-and-back. Nowadays, that’s going to be someone riding a bike.
200 miles (there and back). 24 hours to do it in. It’s that simple.
Congratulations to Chris McNamara
Chris McNamara - 20h 55m 00s on the 19th of June 2025. Chris hoped to do the Double Double so to speak with his brother Simon, but it ended up as a solo effort Check out Chris's Strava ride In Chris's words During Covid I rode the South Downs Way with Connor Murphy...
Congratulations to Jonathan Stedman
Jonathan Stedman - 21h 46m 31s on the 17th of June 2025. Jonathan contacted us 2 years ago with plans to attempt the double, well he finally got there! Check out Jonathan's Strava ride In Jonathan's words I fell in love with the South Downs and the South Downs Way 15...
Congratulations to Mark Edwards
Now for something completely different. Although not a double attempt (yet), I thought Mark’s efforts were worthy of mention. South Downs Way single effort on a BMX Bike! Yes that’s right. Mark joined the annual Trailbreak South Downs Century sportive this year for an...
Current record holder
Ian Leitch
15 hours 35 minutes
Hall of Fame
All ride times and records for the South Downs Way Double.
The route
Maps, Distances, Timing, GPS data and water sources.
Trying the Double
Advice and tips on your preperation for the double.