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 Nick Allen and Mark Jenvey
Nick Allen and Mark Jenvey – 23h 24m 35s on the 24th June 2021. Preparation pays off for Nick and Mark with a sub 24h ride. In Nick's words A good friend, Matt, has wanted to ride the Double for years but not so far got round to it. I had ridden the SDW a few times...
Congratulations to Adam Wheelwright
Adam Wheelwright – 19h 20m 21s on the 24th of June 2021. Despite bad cramps Adam still put in a sub 20h time! In Adams words Having ridden the South Downs Way (SDW) from Winchester to Eastbourne in the summer of 2019 and then stepping up to do the North Downs Way last...
Congratulations to Adam Rogers
Adam Rogers – 23h 55m 0s on the 6th of June 2021. Fog tried it's best to stop Adam joining the club, but in the end he made it with 5 minutes to spare! In Adams wordsAfter having tried the double last August with Dan Ellis and getting to 166 miles before having to...
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.