addiscombe.org

by **higg** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:03 am

From this
[img]http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v208/163/48/565591867/n565591867_778032_8765.jpg[/img]

to this
[img]http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v208/163/48/565591867/n565591867_778043_2484.jpg[/img]

in a smidgen over 12 hours. Report to follow.

by **George** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:43 am

Aoden you are a superhero, I like the time you did it in :wink:

by **EdO** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:16 am

Well done Aodan. I did this last year and it's one hell of a ride. Look forward to reading your report.

by **Wal** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:26 am

Well done Aodan! I'm gutted I couldn't join you - maybe next year!

Mike

by **higg** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:56 pm

The plot was hatched while marshalling at Hainault. I happened to be standing in the same area as Mike (Wal). We started talking about the next cycling challenge. I had just done the Marmotte and was looking for something new. Mike had just placed well in Palace but was still thinking of his MTB roots. Neither of us had done the South Downs Way so it seemed the next logical step.

This could take ages so for those of you in a rush let me condense it a bit

The stats
=========
miles - don't know (about 100 give or take a mile or two, I knocked the sensor when changing a puncture and didn't realise for a few miles)
Time elapsed - 12hr 17mins
Breaks/Refreshments (by Maria, who gave up the day to drive in support) - 4 (22 miles - QECP 10mins, 50 miles - SpringHead Hill 15min, 69miles - Ditchling Beacon 20min, 85 miles - Firle Beacon 10min)
Punctures x 2
Serious navigation error - about 20-25mins don't know really, by the time I found out where I was (Seaford instead of Alfriston), I was so pissed off I didn't want to think about it, took about 15 mins to get back on track.

Decisive moments
===============
Three weeks to go - Maria volunteering to drive the car in support

Two weeks to go - Mike pulling out beacause of problems with his shoulder

One week to go - Planning feed stops (remembering things Eddie Mundy had talked about re making feeding schedules etc.)

Fri lunchtime - Deciding to go ahead knowing it would be raining for half the day

Waking up at 4.30 on Saturday morning

Starting at 6.30
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/89150037a83142ac4475c82efbfc36149317874b4855b5d876c4b1734d0141d07fe5f529.jpg[/img]

All the feed stops where Maria was waiting with fresh water, sandwiches and a smile.

The sky filling in and then the first drops of rain before the descent into Amberley
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/40160200c1ee26227a0bf3f40762aba36061f0620678765053fa19cd88b9679f1aaa94f7.jpg[/img]

Changing in dry and warm clothes at Ditchling Beacon.

Leaving Ditchling Breacon knowing that I only had 4 hours left to make the 12hr time.

Leaving Firle Beacon knowing I had only 1 3/4 hrs to make the 12 hour time
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/320124749b9db4c02a01ff09063eaff7d72db3c1f119c9eb92b94ff96f5eea22f20e0e62.jpg[/img]

Deciding that I knew which way to go and not getting off the bike and walking ten yards to read the signpost.

Realising I had descended into Seaford and not Alfriston.

Putting the foot down over the last hour to try to make up some time.

Stopping to take photos 2 miles from the end when I knew I wouldn't get under 12 hours.

Memorable moments
==================
The clearing mist and blue sky at the top of the first hill after leaving Winchester
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/3833740985308e2c06034af8b432a7ffed3023e29dcae91a9aa8f8e45a49c7f6ebab7b3c.jpg[/img]

That special South Downs scenery even though the sky was changing for the worse.
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/8156628883913cbc6c7e97a720bcec6cb0535ac860c6826c6a1438861c1f1b364b3a0b65.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/35765327a9fd34a5b76035d1991ad7328c8f19e077185839a5e0fe5f31f6fca935eb5172.jpg[/img]

There were plenty of gates to be opened (and closed)
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/593051678985ee458f557999b7a2216dac55890566e2cf80485e409dc227fd5f06810b2c.jpg[/img]

Sheltering behind the boot of the car at the stops.
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/1197564400c4c2b9aac47e29f6113ab043efd3538dd472ca6ac8b7538f8273e2b0b1ade4.jpg[/img]

Managing to cycle up Windover Hill after 11hrs
[I wasn't stopping to take a photo]

Spotting Eastbourne through the trees
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/978654125184d5b048006a1aada614565802e0b25afde6d142e22c11cc9f6dd285d0fe7c.jpg[/img]

Trying to smile at the camera at the finish
[img]http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/80792789cdbd8a839d2b43defd3b97aaa2928b43db2d7bd3d5047ed11a59c0df94397d39.jpg[/img]

Credits
[img]http://img4011.photobox.co.uk/76693817740e840fbcb394d74449a5bfc253dfe1cf9fdf127326704341cad73b01818b1d.jpg[/img]
for the support, food and photos

by **Rob C** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:04 am

Well done Aodan, top marks. How much harder would it be without support, do you think? Are there any shops tea rooms etc on the way to stock up on food?