2019 Rider Times
2019 Photos on Facebook

Missed this event? Don’t miss these…

Next Century Ride

The Ridgeway 100
August 3rd

A superb 100km ridge ride! (with NEW 50km option!)

The Chilterns Ridge Trail Ride, April 22nd

Next Event

Kinesis UK Surrey Hills Switchback

July 14th

Fantastic riding in the Surrey Hills!

South Downs Gravelcross, April 9th

July

6

2019

WINCHESTER

to BEACHY HEAD

The South Downs Way: 100 miles or 100km

The South Downs Way; it has long been a right of passage in mountain biking circles. And now this hundred mile ribbon of imposing chalk downland is the single day gravel challenge, and you can take it on with our unparalleled CX Sportive support.

Renowned as a supreme physical rather than technical challenge, the South Downs Way is the most high profile long distance MTB challenge that we have. But so much more, too. The huge climbs, sweeping descents and expansive coastal views make it a truly memorable ride in one of the most quintessentially beautiful parts of the British countryside.

CX Century brings you all of this in the ultimate South Downs event! An unforgettable experience and a monumental challenge  and endurance  badge of honour!

CX Century is fully supported, from route marking to multiple feed and support stops, so all you have to do is concentrate on taking on this epic ride!

Finishers Medal

Every finisher gets a medal – 100 mile finishers get the coveted bespoke CX Century 2019 medal!

Free Kit Bag

Every rider gets a free kit bag to put your kit in for us to trasport along the route for you, and to keep after the event!

Buy the T Shirt!

Order the limited edition event t shirt when you book for just £12.00.

CX & South Downs Century Roll of Honour

The Mile Century: 100 mile option

South Downs Century pits you against the full; 100 miles of the South Downs Way; a giant of ride including over 12,000ft of climbing in a single day on eye-wateringly steep gradients! The route is 90% off road on classic South Downs chalk tracks, and the views of this endless trail are as breathtaking as the climbs! The South Downs Way should be on every mountain biker’s bucket list. South Downs Century is the perfect way to tick it off!

Starting alongside the 100 km event in Winchester, the 100 mile route finishes at Beachy Head above Eastbourne; an inspirational finish point for your epic ride!

100 miles
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Distance

100 miles (160km)
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Start Location

Winchester (St Catherine’s Park & Ride)
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Start Time

6:00am – 7:00am
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Finish Location

Beachy Head
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Finish Time

Estimated 3:30pm – 9:00pm

Route Stats

The lowdown on this ride in numbers, profiles and maps; where the route goes, where it hills are, how demanding it is and which bike to use.

Kilometre Century

kilometres

  • Physical Severity 85% 85%
  • Technical Severity 45% 45%

Mile Century

miles (162km)

  • Physical Severity 99% 99%
  • Technical Severity 50% 50%
South Downs Century route profile

Bike Suitability

Which bike will be best or this ride? The Wildwood is open to any bike and any rider – but here’s our guide to which type of bike suits this course best.

  • Gravel / Adventure Bike 90% 90%
  • CX (race style cyclocross) 75% 75%
  • MTB 80% 80%
  • MTB (29er) 85% 85%
  • Hybrid* 65% 65%
  • Road* 45% 45%
Warning: This ride contains off road sections and rough surfaces. Only use road bikes that are capable of some off road. DO NOT use any bike you do not want to expose to dirt and the risk scratches or some damage. Only use a bike with strong wheels and off road capable tyres. Remove mudguards prior to the ride.

The Kilometre Century: 100km option

South Downs Century includes a kilometre century option; 100km and almost 7,500ft of climbing in a single day, 90% off road on classic South Downs chalk tracks, the South Downs Century kilometre century is a physical test and a genuine epic, and the perfect preparation for taking on the full 100 mile South Downs Century in a future year!

Starting alongside the 100 mile event in Winchester, the 100km route finishes on top of Truleigh Hill above Shoreham; ideal for an easy pick up off the A27, or downhill all the way to the station to begin your journey home!

100 kilometres
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Distance

100km (62miles)
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Start Location

Winchester (St Catherine’s Park & Ride)
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Start Time

6:00am – 7:00am
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Finish Location

Truleigh Hill (Shoreham)
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Finish Time

Estimated 2:00pm – 5:30pm

South Downs Century

100 Mile Route
£49
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  • Included Event Support

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  • Eight Feed & support stations. (All feed stations offer, water, energy drink, first aid & mechanical support. Three major support points will also provide food, snacks, fruit, hot drinks and toilets).
  • Rider timing by transponder tag with half way mid timing. Results posted to these web pages.
  • Multiple emergency contact numbers for our team made available for you to carry with you.
  • Mechanical support vehicles .
  • Route marked by the event Team and uses known SDW markers. GPX route issued to all entries. (Harveys South Downs Way maps will also be available to buy as an extra. Carrying a map of the route is recommended for the event).
  • Medal for all finishers.

SDW Kilometre Century

100 km Route
£39

  • Included Event Support

  • Four Feed & support stations. (All feed stations offer, water, energy drink, first aid & mechanical support. Three major support points will also provide food, snacks, fruit, hot drinks and toilets).
  • Rider timing by transponder tag with half way mid timing. Results posted to these web pages.
  • Multiple emergency contact numbers for our team made available for you to carry with you.
  • Mechanical support vehicles .
  • Route marked by the event Team and uses known SDW markers. GPX route issued to all entries. (Harveys South Downs Way maps will also be available to buy as an extra. Carrying map of the route is recommended for the event).
  • Medal for all finishers.

Event Logistics

Transport Options
You will need to arrange transport to and from the event. Due to the numbers of riders and the broad timescale and distances the event will cover, we cannot offer transport solutions as part of the event. you will need to make your own way to the start, and arrange either a pick up or transport solution from the finish. Prior to the event, we will provide you with as much information as you need to help you make all of your arrangements in good time, including pick up locations, connecting train services and local taxi contacts. For the second half of the route, the South Downs Way runs close to the south coast mainline, so you are never too far away from a station (and downhill all the way!)
Cut off & bail out points
Your big target for South Downs Century is to complete the challenge. Not everybody will finish, by any means. There will be cut off times at strategic checkpoints on the route, after which riders will not be allowed to continue on the event. Should you miss a cut off or decide to abandon the ride, we will provide you with detailed options for your transport options from those cut off / bail out points, including location details for pick up, nearest rail station and local taxi numbers.
Event support vehicles & mechanical assistance
Our support vehicles will be traveling along the route on the closest possible roads, and will be equipped to help with mechanical problems and basic first aid. However, please note that getting assistance to any point on the South Downs Way may involve considerable distances and can take a long time. Riders will be expected to carry basic tools and spares, and a small, basic first aid pack. Your first and best option is always to fix yourself if you can; if you can’t we’ll be there to help.
Luggage transport
We will be able to carry a small amount of luggage for you along the route (such as a small overnight bag with change of kit etc). This will be transported from the start in Winchester to the Truleigh Hill checkpoint (and 100km finish) where it will be available for you to access. From here, luggage for riders on the 100 mile course will be transported to the finish at Beachy Head.

Please note: we will take care of any luggage left with us, but cannot take responsibility for any damage or loss that might occur. Any luggage not claimed at the ride finish will be taken back to our offices after the event, from where it can be returned to the owner at the owners expense.

Friends and family support vehicles
A good number of riders will arrange for friends or family to support them along the route from their own vehicles, and to collect them at the end of the day. We welcome friends and family support vehicles on the event, however, we will need them to to observe our guidelines to help the event to run smoothly. We will provide details of recommended rendezvous points on the course, with suitable access and parking. There will also be certain roads on the course where we will ask vehicles not to attempt to access the course, due to road width or parking limitations. This information will be provided to you well in advance to allow you to plan.