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 Richard Bailey
Richard Bailey - 19h 32m 17s on the 3rd of June 2021. As a treat for turning 50 Richard thought he would treat himself to a Double attempt! Check out Richards Strava ride In Richards words I love the South Downs way and doing it one-way in a day back in 2007 gave me...
Congratulations to Mike Ellicock
Mike Ellicock - 15h 55m 3s on the 1st May 2021. An epic ride by Mike in challenging conditions for the second fasted time ever! Full details to follow, but in the mean time here's a short video
Congratulations to Peter Harrison
Peter Harrison - 18h 5m 27s on the 17th September 2020. After an earlier failed attempt in September Peter smashes out a very fast Double! Check out Peters Strava ride In Peters words My fascination with riding the South Downs Way started over a decade ago, when, as a...
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.