Starting the South Downs Way
A Jolly Jaunt from Winchester to Eastbourne
Prelude to Adventure
It was a fateful June in the year of 2014 when our merry band—Andy, Neill, Pete, Nadja, and Jorick—embarked on a spirited cycling adventure along the South Downs Way, beginning in the historic city of Winchester.
Our preparations were as chaotic as one might expect. Andy, ever the meteorological savant, scrutinized the wind forecasts, only to find them as indecisive as a dithering dowager. We resigned ourselves to flexibility, the wayward winds be damned.
Nadja, our comfort-craving comrade, lobbied for the warmth of a bed and breakfast, fearing the exertion of hauling camping gear. I, for one, would have acquiesced to the will of the masses, provided there were hot showers and a hearty meal at the end of each day. Pete, however, insisted on the presence of Guinness or cider to lubricate his joints and muscles, while Nadja demanded a cold lager, and Neill a tepid English beer.
The forecast predicted unrelenting rain, and so we braced ourselves for a thorough soaking, our spirits undampened by the promise of precipitation.
The Journey Begins
We assembled at Winchester Cathedral on a Friday afternoon. Neill, astride Andy’s borrowed bike, looked ready for a joust. Nadja, having commandeered Fred’s flashy mountain bike, appeared both eager and apprehensive. Pete, Nadja, and Jorick had taken the train from Brighton, and Jorick, fresh from a vigorous winter ski season in France, was in enviable shape.
No sooner had we set off than Andy suffered a puncture, having neglected to bring a pump—a tool he was responsible for. Pete, fortunately, had the foresight to bring one. Neill, ever the unlucky one, experienced two punctures in quick succession.
We soon realized that Pete required a nicotine-fueled respite at the base of every hill and another at the summit to fortify his spirits.
That evening, we bunked in Fred, Andy and Lisa’s motorhome, parked at the Sustainability Centre. Andy was spirited away by his wife, Lisa, returning to the comfort of his own bed.
Dinner was an eventful affair at The Rising Sun in Clanfield. After a convivial evening, we lost our way back and had to be rescued. Jorick and Andy clung to Lisa’s Smart car, while Nadja and Pete, having missed a crucial turn, were retrieved by Dan.
Trials and Tribulations
Saturday brought us new company in the form of John King, who deftly avoided the gruelling climb to Truleigh Hill by peeling off at Amberley. Neill took a dramatic tumble on the classic green chalk, earning him an oversized bandage from a newly-minted first-aider. His sense of humour deserted him soon after, leading to an unfortunate altercation with Andy’s bike.
Nadja, despite her borrowed steed, also fell, though her injuries were minor—a mere scratch on the shin.
Despite the mishaps, we reached Brighton. We spent the night at Nadja’s, where Jorick’s offering of red wine was a divine nectar after a day of pedalling. Nadja and Jorick opted for a restful Sunday, while Neill, utterly spent, also decided to stay behind. Thus, it fell to Andy and Pete to complete the journey.
After a splendid breakfast courtesy of Nadja, they set off for Devil’s Dyke, encountering a disgruntled equestrian along the way. Steady progress saw them to Eastbourne by late afternoon, where a celebratory pint awaited before they caught the train back to Brighton. Lisa then chauffeured Andy back to the motorhome.
Medals and Merriment
Gold Medal: Pete, who conquered the full distance, scaling hills with a cigarette in hand. His next challenge? Cycling uphill.
Silver Medal: Nadja, for mastering two-thirds of the course on an oversized bike.
Bronze Medal: Neill, also covering two-thirds of the distance on an unfamiliar bike. His valiant effort was marred only by the absence of a Sunday breakfast.
Platinum Award: Jorick, who left us all in the dust despite Nadja’s best efforts to weigh him down with rocks.
Highly Commended: John King, for his judicious participation and superb navigational skills.
Epilogue
Neill: "Bugger me, that was incredibly hard—65 miles in two days, but the third was beyond me. Not for the faint-hearted!"
Pete: "Challenging, but the views on the last day were worth every drop of sweat!"
In retrospect, it was a tumultuous yet bonding escapade, one that tested our mettle and strengthened our camaraderie. Here’s to more such adventures, with fewer punctures and more pub stops!
P.S. Andy later convinced Nadja to finish the remainder of the South Downs Way from Brighton to Eastbourne. A fitting conclusion to an epic adventure.
