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South Downs Double: Neil Newell sets new record

23h 20m 32s. That's the time Neil has just completed the South Downs Double in, on a rigid singlespeed...

Posted: 23 July 2008
by David Arthur

Neil Newell breaking the first singlespeed SDW Double record (pics: Rory Hitchens)

We reported yesterday that Neil Newell had set off from Winchester with the aim of being the first person to set a singlespeed record for the South Downs Double.

Neil began his mammoth mission at 8.30am yesterday (Tuesday) morning aboard his rigid On-One 29er singlespeed, and completed the epic 202mile ride just a few short hours ago. His time was a staggering 23h 20m 32s.

Neil Newell was one of the original instigators of this challenge gaining the interest it has, already setting his personal best of 22h 20m 25s, last September. For this latest challenge, Neil rode a singlespeed (32x21 gearing) and was completely unsupported, as first pioneered by Rob Lee.

If you missed out on the chance to watch Neil’s ride blow by blow yesterday and through the night, you can retrace the route he followed here.

We’ll have more words and pictures and a full interview with Neil in due course. But for now, a hearty congratulations from everybody at BM.

Previous article:
Lapierre 2009

Fi'zi:k Tundra saddle

South Downs, South Downs Way, Neil Newell, South Downs Double

Discuss this story

Mr.Wilson

Awesome. Well done Neil!
Posted: 23/07/2008 10:33

brant@shedfire

and what bike was he on? out of interest?
Posted: 23/07/2008 10:54

tekk

Some sort of pushbike I think
Posted: 23/07/2008 11:09

Mr.Wilson

Because he couldn't possibly have achieved it on any other kind of bike, eh?

Posted: 23/07/2008 11:13

David Arthur

i doff my cap to neil. a superb effort

so, who's up next to attempt the record?

Posted: 23/07/2008 11:35

BobBullet

Well done Neil !

I'm having a crack next year but dont think I'll get close the Neils time

Posted: 23/07/2008 11:45

Mr.Wilson

Are you doing it Singlespeed Bob?
Posted: 23/07/2008 11:47

BobBullet

Leave it out, I had a crack at a single speed a while back and my knee's are still hurting....

I'll be using my 853 rocklobster, rigid forks or rebas ? hhmmmmmmmmm

Posted: 23/07/2008 11:50

Mister Bump

He said he wanted to beat 24 hours and did it. Well done Neil. Bet you will be laying a nice Radox bath for a few hours.
Posted: 23/07/2008 12:02

quintessential Quin

Big congrats to you Neil.What a ride.

3 resounding cheers sent your way.

Posted: 23/07/2008 18:25

Neil Newell

Thanks guys! I spent the day afterwards eating pizza, soaking in the bath and falling asleep for long periods - almost as much fun as the ride itself

Seriously though, it wasn't that tough - I didn't stress my legs at all because I just walked any steep hills (well, most of them - I hammed it up from Rory with his cameras on one or two). Seems there is a world of difference between 24-hour pace (even on SS) and the sub-21 hour time of a certain Rob Lee.

Posted: 24/07/2008 10:31

Mr.Wilson

You certainly seemed to be flying on the tracker! Brilliant effort and a very impressive recovery regime - actually that sounds just like most days for me...