And that's a fact...

Plenty of people take on challenges for charity and, compared to some, the South Downs Way may feel a little tame. Remember this however: we are busy girls with busy lives, squeezing our training in around careers, families, horses, voluntary policing, regular injury and bad weather. Also remember Alex had never cycled until the very end of 2009. On top of that the South Downs Way is no walk in the park - it's long, there are hills and pleny of distractions along the way.

Then, please put the following facts into that context and give us a little credit - you can do that at: www.justgiving.com/pollicottbelles2011 or at one of our forthcoming events.

The South Downs Way National Trail starts at City Mill, Winchester and finishes at the Western End of Eastbourne Promenade. I'm not sure we'll be up to promenading at the end.

How Far? The South Downs Way is 100 miles long  - we Belles have a slight advantage because the bridleway route is 4 miles shorter (though navigational error is bound to sort that out).

How High? in total there is 13,600 foot of ups (and downs) - we are currently climbing 170 foot on a typical training ride - so in 2 days we will be doing that 80 times over! Butser Hill at 900ft and Ditchling Beacon at 814ft will be the killers. A little (a lot) more hill training is needed methinks.



The elevation Profile of one of our training routes

  

The  elevation Profile of the South Downs Way

How Long will it Take? On average it takes 3 days to complete the South Downs Way on a bike - we have to complete it in 2 days (2 half days and one full day).

The Sights? Winchester Cathedral, Chanctonbury Ring, Devils Dyke, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age monuments, Long Man of Wilmington, Seven Sisters, Beachy Head, blue butterflies and all 14 of Andy Goldsworthy’s strategically erected chalk stones (which start at Cocking) sorry!

The sights will be the subject of more blogs so please come back to learn more about our ride and training.