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 epic ride.
In Marks own words
“There I am, on the floor partially collapsed, contemplating life and wondering does anyone else make these crazy decisions in life to challenge themselves? Wind back to a few months before, I had done the L2B road followed 13 days later the offroad which didn’t quite go to plan (back in 2024 for redemption and a spare chain). What other challenges are there. The South Downs Way is on my bucket list of rides and living a mile from it I have cycled the area around Brighton a lot as a youngster. I know this small section very well. It’s flints, its weather, the rutted tracks, grass & mud.
Doing a little research because the original plan was 2 days – enjoy the countryside and take photos of what I’m cycling through. I found this website, there are really people who cycle it there and back in a day. Then I came across the Trail Break SDW century event and thought ok, here we go, challenge time. A marked course with other like minded riders but can it be done on a BMX. I’ve searched, I’ve looked, I’ve spoken – no. Nobody is ‘apparently’ that stupid / crazy. That’s it, definitely challenge is set. 6th July, South Downs Way on BMX.
Only just about covered half that distance with a 3rd of the elevation. Never cycled in a proper cycling event. Realism sets in. Book a Chilton ridgeway event with Trailbreak – the longest one – 50km. Attend on the BMX. Everyone is looking at me, some in disbelief, some in awe that some craze fool is attempting this on a BMX. Turns out they were right – I had changed the front wheel a few days before to something extreme – basically a motox tyre. Gripped at the bottom of a long downhill, over the handlebars after catching a rock – punctured skin on the knee (didn’t know this at the time), a load of blood – just thought heavy scratches and carried on. Most of the other riders had already gone home by the time I got to the finish. 2 weeks later, cycling in London to work and get hit by a car. 2 cracked ribs. 2nd trip down A&E!
Some higher power is trying to tell me this isn’t a good idea and should take the hint. But like any other stubben bloke – I didn’t and now after getting up at 3:30am, leaving at 4 here I am at the start line 6:45 in the morning in Winchester sat on the green BMX I’ve nicknamed Kermit, thinking WTF. With a double rainbow from the extreme downpour it’s go time.
First checkpoint – QE Country Park. A place I last visited some 25 years prior. Arrived over half hour before cut off and smilling like the cheshire cat after somehow surviving the downhill leading into the car park (looking back at the Garmin data also with the speed sensor) clocked a new top speed – 64mph.
Things are getting tough, it seems I was also the only one carrying a rucksack. The hills are not too bad. The worst part so far was the terrain. Down this end it’s more mud / grass tracks which after the heavy rain I wasn’t getting much grip so was walking some of the climbs where I would have been cycling them.
2nd checkpoint, suns out as it a tail wind which seemed to help in places. get here 6 mins before cutoff. Those hills are now really hitting those cut-off times. 42 miles down but now my mate has arrived and takes the rucksack off. Speed up time. Coming down into Amberley, no phone in my pocket. I’m thinking do I walk back searching for my phone or do I continue. My phone is needed for the livetrack on the Garmin and I know there are a few people watching my progress including family. Make the walk back up and by absolute sheer luck an American who came over to do the event saw me walking and looking at the floor distinctly thinks ‘well that’s not right’ and where he slowed and stopped, there it is, my ‘brick’ as he called it is on the floor right in front of him. You couldn’t make this up. Put that in a movie based on a true storey the viewers wouldn’t believe it. So maybe this higher power is looking out for me – thing’s are going right.
3rd checkpoint – Truleigh Hill. From here up to Ditchling I know the tracks. Chantonbury to the A283 crossing is a 10min downhill. So I’ve got 20mins each for the next 2 climbs. Pedal time and make the most of the fact I know this section well, very well. Hitting 35/40mph in sections (where you can, still need to observe and be courteous to other track users) where it was empty. The tracks at this end of the SWD are more wide open, a lot less tree lined. In places, you can see for a mile in front. After a quick pitstop to see family that had come out to see me, get to YHA at Truleigh but no check point. I’m 15 mins late, thinking maybe they have already packed up and gone it’s go time again to Ditchling Beacon.
Now I’m walking up most hills, not so much from the legs but the whole body is just shot. I’ve not produced any sweat in the last 20 miles. Feel hungry. Good tail wind and the sun is still out, rarely any cloud cover.
The beacon crossed off and back onto checking the route on the Garmin and looking out for the tape marking the course. Lovely long gentle down hill to the A27 cross over at Falmer (Balmer Farm). This hill Infront of me – it can just do one. It’s a hill that just keeps on giving. Grass, little grip on the BMX, the tail wind is now a heavy side wind, no trees. This hill was the one the probably done it for me. At the top, a very uneven brick rubble path ruined what was left in my arms.
Get to check point 4 at Southease or what would have been checkpoint 4 an hour past cut-off. Had to call it for the event. My mate had followed me to here. I could have carried on but not sure if I needed to be sick, faint or what day it was I’m still thinking I could carry on but the event organizers, my mate. I’m working out it will be another 2.5/3 hours till the finish. Finishing at 21:30/22:00 – I’ve got lights but wouldn’t be fair on them.
The last 20 miles then. Came back a few days later after the rain had stopped. Parked up at Falmer – spoke to the nice chap ‘Mat’ at Park Farm Shop. cycled to the top of Woodingdean and cycled back over the where I had left it at Southease which in itself was another 6 mile ride. And so I continue. Weathers good, wind’s died down, sun is out but early morning so not as hot. Birds are chirping, golfers are out at Eastbourne, I make it. Still not fully recovered from the 80.5 miles completed and just adding another 23 miles to get to the finish – I’ve done it.
It can now be said a BMX has completed the South Downs Way. Not in one hit granted so it can be beaten for sure but it will take one hell of an effort to do that in one hit.
Total ride time – 16hr 48min in 2 rides (80.5 miles Sat 6th, 23.4 miles Thurs 11th 2024) Figures from Garmin Edge 530, HRM monitor and speed sensor
Winchester to Southease – 12:40:22 (moving time 10:44:44), 9449ft ascent, calories – 6624, sweat loss – 7583ml, max heart rate – 178bpm ~ avg 142bpm, max speed 64.6mph ~ avg 6.4mph
Falmer to Eastbourne – 4:08:34 (moving time 3:09:45), 2730ft ascent, calories – 2876, sweat loss – 2868ml, max heart rate – 176bpm ~ avg 139bpm, max speed 34.4mph ~ avg 5.7mph
Steps (for the day) recorded from fitbit – total Winchester to Southease 67,108 + Falmer to Eastourne 22,473
Hopefully this accomplishment goes onto encourage others with their own challenge. Just as those who have done the double encouraged me to even attempt this on a BMX.
Next up is to attempt the double but on the full sus maybe next year”
Probably more than a few words but gives a good precursor as well as route attempt.
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