South Downs Double attempt in progress
Neil Newell is tackling the South Downs Double unsupported and on a singlespeed. Watch it live now!
 Neil Newell at Cocking during his previous SDW attempt It seems the South Downs Double is the epic ride of choice at the moment, with several attempts gaining much interest recently and, as you read these very words, there’s a rider out there now riding the Double, alone and unsupported. And on a singlespeed…
Neil Newell, one of the original instigators of this challenge gaining the interest it has, already set his mark in the sand with a time of 22h 20m 25s, last September. You can relive that story here. For that ride Neil had support from friends and rode a geared bike, but he’s clearly decided that wasn’t challenge enough.
So, for his latest attempt at the record, Neil has decided to attempt the SDW Double unsupported and on a singlespeed - just to make it a little harder. Neil set off from Winchester at 9.30am this morning, and as you read this he's well underway. Our man on the ground Rory Hitchens tells us he's looking good thus far, we'll bring you some photos soon...
While he might not break the current record of 20h 55m 51s as held by enduro ace Rob Lee, he’ll most certainly set the first record for doing it singlespeed, aboard his rigid On-One Inbred 29er. Neil said, before setting of this morning, that he wants to see "just how long it takes! Ideally less than 24 hours, of course...”
Good luck from everybody at BM Neil!
Watch Neil's ride live with Bikemagic
Thanks to the wonder that is GPS, you can track Neil's ride throughout the day and night right here.
wonder what gear he'll be riding? gear one I guess
Posted: 22/07/2008 15:31
Am I missing something? The marker seems to be in a boozer on the A281, quite a way from the red line... Extra respect if he has time to stop for a pint!
Posted: 22/07/2008 16:03
I've just found out that he's riding a 32x21 gear, which i bet will become a good choice once he's well into the ride. Our eyes on the ground tell us he's still going strong, he's set a steady pace and is looking good for 11hrs to Devils Dyke. we'll have some photos soon...
Posted: 22/07/2008 16:20
Could the SDW be ridden at speed on a cyclo-cross bike? Every picture I see is of rolling fields yes. there was a chap who rode the MaXx Exposure last year on just such a bike. Certainly had an advantage on the hard-packed doubletrack when he dropped me. Advantage soon vanished when, some time later, i passed him fixing his puncture.
Posted: 22/07/2008 16:22
Some shonky northern micro-brand thing innit? David, is there a way of directly seeing the Googlemap page without seeing it embedded in the BM page?
Posted: 22/07/2008 16:53
Go Neil (whatever bike you're on) 
Is he using a Spot Messenger for tracking?
And just a question - as I didn't get my act together in time for the Singlespeed one can we allow an attempt on a Cyclocross bike?
Posted: 22/07/2008 17:11
Just looked at the route info on the SDWD site but can't see gate information. Gates shouldn't be too much of a faff anyhow, and a good chance to stretch / get breath back / eat / apply sunscreen / wonder what the hell you're doing...
You get the idea 
Just took a look at the Iron Horse team results... *shock* Do they win everything they enter???
Posted: 22/07/2008 17:56
Cheers Wit, still doesn't work mind - w*rk internet connection I guess. Wouldn't want to be stoker on that thing!
Posted: 22/07/2008 21:00
It looks as if he's on the return leg now. Wow. That's some serious riding! I've been pondering doing the SDW with a few friends, but doing over a weekend. To do a double, in a day, on a SS? Wow.
Posted: 22/07/2008 22:08
good luck to him. it was only a matter of time before a singlespeed attempt was undertaken, still plenty more versions of the attempt to be attempted, fixie, women, unicycle etc etc.
Posted: 22/07/2008 23:08
That was the bike of choice for the winner of the Solo category at Click24 too if I'm correct in thinking. 29er seem to be a good choice if you've simply got to do it on a single speed, and the On-Ones seem to be the weapon of choice for many that I've seen on these 12/24hrs rides, be they geared or SS. I walked the SDW one way many, many years ago, so I'm feeling the pain! Hope he makes it under 24hrs as is his aim, but either way, it's more than I could ever begin to contemplate, so the best to him. Tim
Posted: 22/07/2008 23:13
Bloody hell ,hes almost back at Brighton.That is very quick. 70 odd miles to go.Good luck fella
Posted: 22/07/2008 23:17
I do like this GPS tracking malarky. I'd like it even more if we could get a live feed and see his light bobbing about in the darkness
But then I'm a geek. So I would like that.
Posted: 22/07/2008 23:32
Comming up to a nasty climb just over the a27.Its steeeeep and it hurts. Here he goes hehe.
Posted: 22/07/2008 23:34
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