Congratulations to Ian Grace

In Ian's Words

Finally done it!!

I first did a sub 24hr SDW double about 10 years ago but back then my Garmin battery was not up to it, and although I recharged as I went, it died when I finished and had no proof! It has taken a while to get back to it and knock this one-off. I tried again just after the covid years as a pairs attempt, but it turned out to be the hottest day of the year and we both struggled on the return with a time of around 26hrs.

I tired again earlier this year with a strategy of going from Peycombe to Winchester and back first during the day, so I had the hilly stuff at night when cooler. All was going to plan until I got to the BP garage, and they had no staff and would not allow me in to buy some food. I pushed on to the garage near Housedean Farm and again, no one there, so bailed out and rode back to the car at Peycombe. Gutted.

So, my successful attempt came after a period of biking in the Alps and the Etape du Tour. I went with a later afternoon/ early evening start from Winchester so that the ride out was mostly over night and the ride back would be in day time providing more food options and daylight when tired. All went well on the outward leg, although one water tap was not working which raised a bit of an alarm for the return journey. I was hitting some good times for my self and arrived in Eastbourne in just over 10.5 hrs. I have always reckoned you need to be under 11hrs out to make it back in under 24!

I stopped briefly for a chicken sandwich and some chocolate from my backpack and then started my return journey. The sun was getting up, and it was becoming quite a hot day. I was focused on my average speed and my estimated finish time. Over the big hills I was quite slow and my ETA was around 25hrs for a while. I was undecided on what to do. Keep going or bail out and get a convoluted train trip back to Winchester. I plugged on and reassessed every hour what my ETA would be, and eventually it came under 24hrs, so I was feeling a bit happier although starting to struggle with the heat. The broken water tap had been repaired, so I was ok for water on the later part of the day. The run in to Winchester is quite fast with a few road sections and some good down hill bits I made up some time and finished under the 24hrs.

The ride was a struggle for the return leg, but so happy to finally get under the 24hrs! I Didn't stop for pictures so here is one with me and my bike - Scott Spark.