Mike Cotty does SDD in 19h 52m 26s
Mike Cotty tonight set a new South Downs Double record -19h 52m 26s Updated with photos
Pic © Rory Hitchens
Pic © Neil Newell
Mike Cotty first added his name to the short list of those competing the South Downs Way Double, an leg-burning 202 miles of rolling chalk downs and steep climbs, back in June of 2006.
Since then, there’s been a fair amount of traffic taking to the SDD, and it has been causing quite a stir among those riders who get their adrenalin fix from pushing their bodies to the limits over unfeasibly long distances. So it wasn’t long before Rob Lee, self-proclaimed enduro-nut, stepped to the plank. Lee raised the bar not only with an impressive time of 20h 55m 51s, but was also the first rider to do the whole thing unsupported. Meaning he has to carry all the food and water, or stop at taps along the route, himself.
So with his time of 22h 30m wiped from the top spot, Mike was undoubtedly keen to reinstate his place at the top. His previous ride was supported, so another attempt by Mike would have to be unsupported. Rumours first slipped out of the Cotty camp when an anonymous source tipped us off with a photo of Cotty spotted training, with luggage.
Unofficial commissar of all things SDD related, Exposure Lights Rory Hitchens revealed exclusively to BM that Cotty set of from Winchester Thursday midnight. Making the turning point at Eastbourne in under 10-hours, it looked like a record-breaking ride was taking place. And so it was to be. Mike returned to Winchester and recorded a time of 19h 52m 26s - the first rider to break under the magic 20h mark.
More on this breaking story soon...
Very impressive. Nice one. Just to eliminate any confusion: the article describes the ride as 106 miles. It's twice that. 106 miles (or 100 miles or thereabouts) describes the South Downs Way one-way. The double is, surprisingly enough, twice that.
Posted: 27/09/2008 01:39
Fantastic ride by Mike, and the first sub-20 hour time - what an amazing effort! The SDW is signposted variously as 100 and 101 miles, so 202 for the whole thing. Knowing Mike though he probably threw in a handful of extra miles just because he could! Here's what the plaque marking the eastern end of the SDW says- "it can be cycled in 2 - 3 days"! 
Posted: 27/09/2008 08:47
Well done Mike, that's a fantastic time! Will it coax Rob out of 'retirement' to have another crack? 
Makes my 60 miles yesterday look really quite pathetic.
Posted: 27/09/2008 09:26
Big thanks to BM for their on going support covering the fun and frolics on the South Downs Way and to Rory Hitchens from Exposure Lights (MaXx D really is the Daddy!) and Neil Newell, both of whom are SDW angels in their own right. And remember it's MaXx Exposure tonight. Trails are in beautiful condition (I've given them a little bit of trail management and TLC just for you!) Enjoy!
Posted: 27/09/2008 09:33
While I accept that this is quite a feat of endurance, I would like to see some more challenges on the Trans-Cambrian route (quite a large pdf gve it time to download), I think that this route would provide greater technically challenging terrain. Or even the scottish coast2coast. That being said well done, If we could substitute hours for days I might have a go at it myself.
Posted: 27/09/2008 09:33
Recover? Bike's in the back of the car and it's off to Cocking now to watch the MaXx Exposure in full flight. Now why have I just packed a fresh set of lights and kit in the car? Hmm, maybe a little night ride 
Posted: 27/09/2008 22:00
On top of your little 'recovery ride' on the road bike this morning, Mike? You nutter! Say hi to Rob and Rory for me.
Posted: 27/09/2008 22:10
Don't worry, I know that it will all catch up with me one day, there's only so many RPM's in the legs. I can see the Bike Magic news flash now. “SDD rider suffers catastrophic collapse walking to newsagent to pick up a pint of milk. Found curbside in full lycra and murmuring the words Cocking, Amberley, Truleigh, Ditchling, Alfriston.....over and over” 
Posted: 28/09/2008 10:36
Hats off to ya
Posted: 28/09/2008 12:51
Well done buddy! Wish the knees would let me have a decent crack at it  That's awesome to take an hour out of Rob. Serious speed.
GB
Posted: 28/09/2008 13:17
Like I said to you yesterday, awesome, awesome ride Mike. Was good to see you Saturday night, catch up soon Rob
Posted: 29/09/2008 16:55
Publicity for the South Downs is all good in my book - so, go Mike! And echoing what Rob said, it's a progression.
Posted: 04/10/2008 22:22
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