On May 8th 2009 I will be leaving Brighton Rugby club at 7.30am by coach to Winchester for the start of a 3 day South Downs Way Cycle Challenge raising money for the Argus Appeal. We finish at Beachy Head, Eastbourne around 3.30pm on Sunday 10th (my birthday). The total distance is 105 miles (35miles a day) with a total of 12,600ft of ascent! supposedly reaching our destination each day around 4pm. It doesn't end there, we then have to put up tents! or get a man to do it me thinks! Apparently the ratio of men to women on this challenge is greater in their favour, - I wonder why?

I only normally cycle every now again so I decided training should start as soon as possible at the end of February and now cycle 2-3 times a week. My fitness and stamina are pretty good now along with my leg muscles. The hilly country roads around Bolney are not as daunting now and it's amazing how much you discover about where you live when you are not racing past it in a car.

Thank you for looking and your support, Suzi x

P.s. Don't forget to keep following my blog as I am adding new posts all the time. See Brighton to Eastbourne!

Eastbourne - Hove

Fantastic views. Lewes is just to the left.

I left home at 7.40am today to meet up with John and catch a train to Eastbourne. Todays challenge Eastbourne - Hove. It was set to be another glorious sunny day. Before we got on to the South Downs Way we had to cycle from Eastbourne train station to somewhere near Beachy Head. Anyway it was uphill all the way, not without a few stops to catch our breath. We got to Alfriston in good time at 11.45 even before the pub was open! We sat in the garden and enjoyed a bit of a feast to keep us going for the still long ride ahead. No alcohol for me though, that must be a first! This is the route to the top of the downs from Alfriston. Long, steep and very rutted. Oh joy...... I have to admit that we cycled a bit of it and then decided on a full stomach it would be better to walk this one.

Getting close to Ditchling Beacon. Just want to get home now! John & I always make sure we close all the gates properly....... There are a lot of them and we sort of have a process of opening and closing, mainly John opens (as he is mostly always there first) and I shut. What a team!

We arrived back in Hove at 6pm. Definitely not wanting to do it all again tomorrow!

Clayton - Eastbourne 5.5 hours!

Where are we headed! That way up the hill.

We left Clayton at 1.45

The afternoon did not start well. Having fixed a puncture (well I thought I had fixed it) before leaving home, only to find that the tyre was going flat again by the time I had driven to Clayton. Poor John (friend & cycling buddy) had to sort it out for me. Then an hour into the ride he had one too. Well at least the sun was shining.

The views were spectacular. It seems a long way away.... the cliffs near Lewes

Getting a bit closer... Crossing the river Ouse. Half way there at Easebourne.

Lots of spring babes

We took our only real break to eat chocolate flapjacks but had to push on to get to Eastbourne before dark! It was 4ish now and 6.5 miles to Alfriston.

I thought you said we were half way!?

Jevington church

Horrible ride from Alfriston to Jevington and beyond. We were tired. Arrived Eastbourne 7.15pm starving. John's girlfriend Michelle met us with the car and took us for a well deserved curry. Never mind the calories. We had burnt hundreds of them. Arrived back home at 10.30.

The Downs Link with Georgina - This is more like it!

Wish the South Downs Way was like the Downs Link! Its flat! following the old train line all the way to Shoreham.

We discovered the Old Station at West Grinstead off the A272.

Devils Dyke heading East

A buckled wheel! The bumps finally took their toll...