The North and South Downs Escapade
I am sure you will all join me, in congratulating your fellow club mate Alastair Clifford on his latest cycling challenge.
Starting out on this epic adventure from Bekesbourne at 17:00 on Thursday 28th May, the route took him in the direction of South West towards Charing, turning North West past Maidstone and onto Medway. Before heading West to Surrey and arriving at Farncombe, the first checkpoint taking 15hrs 59mins where he was position 48th overall. A great effort by him saw his position jump up by 28 to 20th overall as he reached the second checkpoint at Alfriston in 10hrs 47mins. Finally, taking the North Downs Way back he arrived at the finish Bekesbourne on 30th May at 08:25 having moved up by another 4 places to finish 16th overall in an amazing time of 39hrs 25mins covering a total distance of 487.78km and tackling 7.782m of ascents.
According to the man himself…
‘It was very very hot, but a really good route though, mainly off-road too. Which meant it was pretty brutal though’!