SDW: Tue 23 Aug; SouthHarting to Hustpierpoint

One of the hardest days cycling I’ve done in years; my lack of fitness met my lack of mountain biking experience.

The stats : 45.2 miles (on SDW 34, remainder on tarmac), at an average 6.8mph (just 5.9 on SDW).

Max height just 799ft but 6,972ft of ascent and 7,054 of descent.

Pushing up hills: tons. Even walked down a few difficult descents.

Fell off : twice.

Weather: it only rained once. For 5.5 hours.(I’m not exaggerating ).

This was the slowest off road I’ve done – I was faster each day when I did the Cairngorms Loop. To my great surprise todays route is harder than anything I’ve done in Scotland.

That is down to the constant short sharp hills combined with the rough nature of the tracks, especially the gravel and the chalk, the former shaking me and the bike to bits and the latter being very slippery when wet.

But I had a great meal last night in the White Hart:

Plaice. Or what remains of it.

And breakfast did not disappoint:

I had the healthy option; eggs scrambled not fried.

Forecast was grey but dry. At least they got the grey bit right. I bought lunch and a ‘paper in the village shop and set off about 9.15. A humid ascent back up to the SDW in still air.

All went fine but then the rain came in and stayed in. It took me 2 hours to cycle the first 9 miles as I did 2,000 ft of up and 1,500 ft of down – I’ve never made such slow progress.

The Downs were shrouded in mist and only occasionally it lifted, so no views for ages.

I saw this water bottle- I reckon the owner ditched it to lessen their load up the hill you see – like many it was too difficult to cycle up and tricky to cycle down.

Progress was very slow, not helped by sliding around in the chalk. But the miles ticked by and gradually it cleared.

Another rattling descent.

Then after about 20 miles I hit the flat:

This should have a sign: “Only flat bit for 20 miles “

I saw many more cyclists and walkers today, unsurprisingly as this is far better for both users.

Bedraggled sunflowers looking for the sun. None of us saw it today.

The last long descent.

As progress was slow and I was knackered I decide against more pushing up slopes like this:

Typical downland view.

I had about 7 miles left in the SDW but decided to cycle to the B&B on tarmac – about 11 miles. So much easier!

Clayton Wickham Farmhouse is really special – it dates back to the Middle Ages. The owners, Mike and Susie are very welcoming. Quick shower and off for a couple of pints of my favourite bitter; the locally brewed Harvey’s Best.

The farmhouse is quite remote and as I type this drivel I can hear an owl close by. And so to sleep, looking forward to an easier and faster day tomorrow, possibly even some sun.