2021 sees the introduction of a new 3rd ride type: ‘Self Supported’. The 3 types are summarised below.

Alpine
Take all food, tools, spares and safety equipment with you. Food – no stashing before hand (or at the start point if starting part way along), being given or buying. If using lights you must take them with you, no stashing at all. Basically you’re on your own! No mates riding with you at all. No direct support from friends and family but by all means they can meet you along the way for some pictures and a short video. Litter, it goes without saying no dropping of litter, either take with you or dispose of in public bins. No giving to friends or family. QECP and by the café at Eastbourne have bins.

Self Supported
Take all food, tools, spares and safety equipment with you. Food – stashing is allowed at any point on the route. Lights can also be stashed. You must collect anything left there after your ride. Put in a bag and clearly write on it what it is for and say you will be collecting, hopefully this will discourage people moving it. Something like this:

South Downs Way Double attempt – DD/MM/YY
Important food supplies. Do not move on safety grounds.
I will collect after.
I’m cycling both ways non stop.

Mates can ride with you but make sure you open all gates and no drafting. If two of you are doing the Double as a pair, this is considered a supported ride. By all means meet friends or family along the route but no assistance at all from them.
Litter, it goes without saying no dropping of litter, either take with you or dispose of in public bins. No giving to friends or family. QECP and by the café at Eastbourne have bins.

In summary Self Supported differs from Alpine in that you can stash food and have mates ride with you.

Supported
If you go supported then all outside help is OK, as long as you do all the pedalling and open all gates, then by all means meet friends or family along the route and take on/purchase food, have the bike worked on etc. Stashing food and lights is allowed, see ‘Self Supported’.
Litter, it goes without saying no dropping of litter, either take with you or dispose of in public bins or give to friends and family you meet along the way. QECP and by the café at Eastbourne have bins.

Which ever way you decide to go, this is a big challenge. One point to consider is that you WILL have low points and if going supported it’s real easy to bail and get a lift straight home, however at 3am in the morning it’s a big shout calling on your emergency contact to come and get you. Far less chance of bailing if you go Alpine or Self Supported!