BEN COOMBE’S 100 MILE OFF ROAD
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRIP
along the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne
to raise funds for
THE KIT WILSON TRUST FOR ANIMAL WELFARE

Earlier this year myself and my best friend, Dave, decided we would tackle The 100 mile off Road South Downs Way Trail from Winchester to Eastbourne, with myself choosing to raise money for The Kit Wilson Trust. Here is a little info on our trip:

We arrived on the first day in Winchester at 6.30am, raring to go.  We were completely oblivious to the information board in the car park stating that the "the average mountain biker would complete the trail in 3 days".  We had allowed 2 days with 50 miles for each.  Nevertheless we set off, making good ground and completing the first 12 miles in no time at all.  Little did we realise that they were the easiest 12 miles of the trail.  Our smugness was soon crushed when we faced a 3/4 mile climb on wet chalk.

We soon discovered that the simplest way to navigate the South Downs Way was to look on the horizon, find the biggest hill and rest safe in the knowledge that that was where the trail would lead us!  In fact, if you added the total height you would climb over the entire South Downs Way together, its the equivalent of going up Mount Snowdon.... twice over. 

We eventually arrived at our overnight halfway mark at around 4pm, The Sportsmans Inn in Amberley.  With beautiful sunshine and a terrace bar with some stunning views, we very quickly surrendered to the temptations of a chilled pint.... or 4.

Having had plenty of rest and a decent nights sleep, we very gingerly got on our bikes the next morning and headed off.  We found the first half of the next day, increasing difficult.  We were tiring easily, suffering from muscle ache, a breakdown, getting lost, baking hot sun, running out of water and what seemed like constant uphill climbs.  However, it is amazing at 30 years old, what effect the sight of an ice cream van can still have.   After a brief stop in a random car park in the middle of nowhere, all was right with the world again.  A glucose tablet or two and we were back on the trail with our spirits high - having said that, there is a possibility we could have been experiencing a sugar rush.

The next high point was seeing Brighton which meant Eastbourne was still in our grasp.  2 friends had arranged to join us for the last 10 miles, which was a huge help in motivating us for the 2 mile climb towards Eastbourne.  Then at Beachy Head, with the view of the seaside and town centre, it was all downhill to our campsite which was just a bit further the other side of the town.  3 miles off road down hill, (for which we discovered the more tired we became, the less inclined we were to use our brakes) and then followed 4 miles of glorious wonderful smooth tarmac!

We eventually arrived at the campsite in Pevensey Bay just shy of 9 pm, having covered 106 miles and riding for a total of 24 hours, we were exhausted.  Ben Coombe.

We think it was an amazing and tough journey that Ben made for the animals at the Centre.  Ben has, so far, over £400 pledged to The Kit Wilson Trust and if you would like to add to this total and congratulate Ben we would love to hear from you. KWT

Students from Plumpton College recently visited The Kit Wilson Trust to hand over a donation of £415.80 for the animals.  This was half of the proceeds raised from the Dog Show held at the College.  The Kit Wilson Trust are delighted with this generous and much appreciated donation. The students were very interested in our new grooming room, so we are sure that they will be pleased to learn that this money will provide some essential equipment to ensure that all dogs are looking smart for potential new homes.  The animals we help come from a wide range of backgrounds. Many are unwanted, ill-treated or abandoned, whether they be a dog, cat, horse or any other creature.  We rely on our valued supporters to enable us to continue our work. We receive no Local Authority, Government or Lottery funding.