Steyning’s fantastic location has led to many locals taking up mountain biking as a ‘fun‘ fitness activity and at weekends the Downs are criss-crossed with mountain bikers having fun going down the hills and panting and cursing getting back up them again!

This led to a few of us eying up the challenge of cycling the whole of the South Downs Way and coming quickly to the conclusion that the challenge of completing the 100 miles, combined with raising well needed money for charity, was a great idea for 2009 and beyond.

Now we need your support to raise money for two charities…………

So what’s so difficult about completing the South Downs Way?

The easiest way is to compare this event to another bike ride in the South East. The London to Brighton Bike Ride is a great event also raising a huge amount of money for charity. The main talking point of the ride is the climb up Ditchling Beacon. Well the comparison to cycling the South Downs Way is this: It's twice the distance, on mixed track not on tarmac and has at least 10 Ditchling Beacons to climb!

Do you think you are up to this? Of course you are, but you won’t just be able to turn up on the day without training and preparation. If you are an average Sunday morning mountain biker, expect to be in the saddle for at least 6 hours on each of the days (ouch indeed!) or if you are brave enough to take it on in one day, then it will be getting dark by the time you are finished.

So what’s so good about cycling The South Downs Way?

Only the fact of going down the equivalent of 10 Ditchling Beacons, cycling through some of the most beautiful landscape in the South East, good company, a massive personal achievement and most of all raising money for 2 well deserving charities.

All we ask is that you raise as much as you can. Any amount is great and we know it is difficult with many good causes competing for peoples money in difficult times. So ask family, friends, neighbours or sell something on E Bay and if you can add a few hundred pounds to match the achievement of cycling across the newest National Park, that would be something fantastic.