South downs way info please

[stuart sadler]

My brother and I will be riding the south downs way trail on Easter weekend , I think I read somewhere that it would be better to ride it Winchester to Eastbourne because the wind would be on my side does anyone know if this is the case ? (apolagies if this is a silly question because the wind might be variable , I honestly dont know). Also does anyone have any info on a gd cheap hotel/ hostel to stay somewhere half way ? Any info at all would be great thanks

 

[rich p]

The prevailing wind will be mainly behind you if you start at Winchester so you're giving yourself the best chance. There's a youth hostel at Truleigh Hill which is probably just over halfway.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

rich p has covered the specfics, other halfway accommodation apart from Truleigh (tottington Barn yha iirc) is all off route, either down in the Weald or, more abundantly but more distant, in the coastal towns south of the downs. Those towns do make for a less brutal climb in the mornings.

According to the SDW events guide if you are on the Burpham-Findon stretch on the Sunday you are likely to find a lot of arse fruits on the path.

Assume you got this?

 

[Ticktockmy]

Truleigh hill YH, still has places available over the Easter weekend, which is quite surprising, Steyning, Bramber or Shoreham might be a good place to rest you head, as they lie in the Adur Valley, and have the flat Downs link route to get you back to the SDW at the Botolphs river crossing. further along the Route you have the Newmarket Inn sitting alongside the SDW at Falmer.
Hope that helps

 

[albal]

Starting the SDW tomorrow from Winchester, I am 1 of 7 riders tho' the only one camping. I'll be riding back to Dorset after.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Enjoy.

 

[DaveReading]

I haven't ridden the SDW, but I walked it a few years ago starting at Eastbourne, which is of course at sea level, so it was uphill all the way.

 

[Bodhbh]

I'm normally a pansy about the wind - and if it was 100miles across the Fens I'd plan to go with the prevailing - but it's quite lumpy and imo that drowns out whatever the wind has to offer. I did it Eastbourne to Winchester and can't remember the wind being much of a pain, but I guess it depends on how things fall. The YHA hostel at Arundel is about halfway? (although you have to leave the route for 5-10miles)

 

[albal]

I forgot how tough that was, plus I was in 'touring' set up which is totally wrong for this.Walked a good few steep climbs. Still it was lovely on Tuesday, with the cows and calves and sheep and lambs as company!/, drop down into Eastbourne and gave up looking for the 'start'/'finish'.Could'nt find it, Got in the YHA last night.
Rode home today. Never saw any of the other 6 riders, who set off 2 hours behind me.Time for a rest.