SOUTH DOWNS GRAVEL EPIC- 9TH JULY, 2022

RIDE OVERVIEW

Escape the city and head to the South Coast for this mid summer, lumpy 83km off road circuit taking in parts of the South Downs Way & quiet lanes around Lewes & Brighton. With a fully marked route, support marshalls helping along the way & a social race village at the end, this is gravel riding at it's best and the perfect big ride for the middle of summer.

DISTANCE: 100KM | ELEVATION: 1,750M

RIDE DIFFICULTY 4/5

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY 3/5

PERCENTAGE OF ROUTE OFF ROAD 80%

Bike & Tire Choice: With 80% off road and a mix of hard packed gravel, chalk and grass tracks, a gravel bike with 36mm plus tires is recommended but a mountain bike will also work. This route is not suitable for road bikes,

RIDE HIGHLIGHTS

 – Ride parts of the South Downs Way

 – Six punchy climbs including Plumpton Bostall & Itford Hill

 – Glorious quiet lanes by the coast

 – Social drink at the finish village

THE ROUTE

Plumpton: 100km, 1750m

The South Downs way has long been a storied ride for the off road trip. Riding here offers some incredible views and some of the best gravel roads in the UK. Our route is almost all off road on gravel tracks & includes some some tough climbs throughout the route – but they are totally worth it for the panoramic scenery atop the downs.

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: 4/5

FAQS

WHAT TYPE OF BIKE SHOULD I RIDE?

This route is designed for gravel bikes but you could use a mountain bike (there is over 10km on quiet roads). Road bikes are not suitable for this ride. We have carbon gravel bikes from Pearson available to hire for the day. E bikes are not allowed on this ride.

HOW DO I FIND OUT MY START TIME?

Riders start in groups of maximum 6 at a time. We will send you an email after you have booked to choose your start time between 8am and 10am, if you are riding with a friend you can choose to start with them.

WHERE IS THE START / FINISH?

The ride starts and finishes at Plumpton Racecourse. There is free parking onsite as well as a bike wash, toilets & refreshments.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE A MECHANICAL / ACCIDENT?

We have first aiders & mechanics at all the feed stops and ride captains along the route to support.

WHAT SHALL I PACK WITH ME FOR THE RIDE?

You need to have a water bottle, basic kit to repair punctures, inner tubes & riding with a helmet is compulsory. Our feed stops have water, coke, cake, fruit & the best tasting sports nutrition bars & nut butters from Outdoor Provisions.

WHEN WILL I GET MY GPX FILE

Our local team do a final recon ride 1 week before the event and can make final tweeks then based on route conditions. We will then send out the route GPX within one week of the ride.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

ROUTE GPX

GPX sent to you a week before the ride with a full route description & packing list.

FEED STOPS

We have feed stops approx every 30kms with fruit, cakes, coke, water, hydration tabs & tasty ride nutrition from the experts at Outdoor Provisions.

FULLY MARKED ROUTE & TIMING CHIPS

Focus just the stunning views & thrilling ride. The route is marked out all the way & you can check your time for the route at the end.

RACE VILLAGE AT THE FINISH

After an epic ride, grab a pint, coffee or cake at the end. Free parking for the day, toilets & bike wash also included in your entry.

BIKE RENTAL & MECHANICS AVAILABLE

New to gravel riding? Hire a Pearson Off Grid gravel bike for the day. We also have mechanics on site to support with any issues before & during the ride.