May 24th sees the Gravel Group go out on its first longer day out of the year. The South Downs Way Special will be a longer ride out; with options for return to Winchester to suit different desires!
The main plan will be to leave from the Cathedral in Winchester and ride the 70 miles to Brighton. Upon arriving in Brighton we’ll jump into pre-positioned vehicles for the return journey. The number of spaces in the vehicles depends on the number of riders and the number of volunteer drivers. Initial plan is that we’ll have 5 free spaces in cars from Paul and Neil.
If we get more rider commitment we’ll need to ask for volunteers to be able to offer more return seats (The plan being to drop cars at the end point the night before). To ensure we don’t over promise space in the cars we will be asking for a deposit to be paid on a first come first served basis; opening up more spaces if we get volunteer drivers (email Neil if you want to offer up a driving service with details of how many seats you might offer (including bikes!!) Neil will share the logistics plan to make sure you can do what’s needed before we add you to the capacity).
Deposits paid to secure the places will be used as contribution to fuel costs – the balance being due on lift day depending on costs.
If you want to join us for the ride but not the return journey then you’re more than welcome – you might choose to get the train home from Brighton, stay a night in Brighton and return home the next day – maybe by bike! Or you might want to carry on down the SDW and complete the route in Eastbourne. These are all in your gift; we just need to know who’s joining us for the ride we’re covering from Winchester to Brighton. If you choose one of these options it will be on an unsupported basis – you’ll need to be self-sufficient. Also note that changing your mind and joining a vehicle on return to Winchester will not be an option, assuming we have ‘sold out’ all the seats.
The ride is on 24th May.
8am start – prompt.
In front of the Cathedral.
Usual rules apply – non drop ride, come prepared to be self-sufficient even though there will be fellow riders ready to lend a hand, remember: rain happens; punctures happen; sh1t happens and you’ll be better prepared. We feel a hard tail or full sus CX MTB is likely the best bike for the terrain but a well-handled Gravel bike with larger tyres will just about cope with some of the bigger descents on the route.
Ready to sign up? – email Neil at [email protected] and he will reply confirming you have a space, subject to paying the deposit (details will be given at that time to enable payment).
NOTE – forecast inclement weather will possibly result in cancellation. In that event we’ll communicate as quickly as possible via club email and directly if you provide an email address on paying your deposit (which we’ll return).
