It's now only a few hours before the Escapade concludes for another year, and whilst I've been away enjoying the D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth, the ride through Sussex and Kent has been continuing. At the time of writing there were 67 finishers and 3 riders still out on the route.
Feedback from event HQ tells me that there appeared to be quite a high scratch rate this year, with many issues with tyres. Both the north and south downs can destroy tyres and brakes due to their flint and chalk make up. This event is not to be underestimated, especially from the point of view of the impact on both bike and bodies. It doesn't take much weather to completely change the ride, and Thursdays evening's weather played it's part on the early scratchers.

New FKT Although the overall FKT is still in tact, we do now have a new women's FKT, thanks to Jo Blunt - completing the course in 39 hours 29 mins. Well done Jo, amazing ride.

Other interesting facts__

James Benson has the record for the most punctures - at 9. He had to stop in Rochester overnight on Thursday to get tubes the next day, but then subsequently rode from CP1 to the finish in 24 hours. That's quite some catch up.

Riders have generally completed the route much more quickly this year, possibly some of the route changes will have contributed to that - including the removal of the Jevington loop which will save riders quite some time and effort.

We have one rider who so far has ridden all 4 editions, and that is Martin Fabro - that's quite some committment Martin!

There really isn't much more to tell, other than to say thanks to Kevin (& Jo) for making it such a great event once again.

If this appeals to you for 2025, why not keep and eye open for the website, and get your entry in once bookings open.

This is over and out from me for another year. Thanks Marcia

Lots of finishers, too many photos to share, but enjoy this selection of photos from the finish.

It's been a crazy busy 24 hours for Kevin since the last update, as riders have been scattered along the Surrey hills and South Downs way at regular intervals, meaning that his work at CP1 saw a steady stream all through the night and morning, before he had to dash off back to the start to be ahead of the lead riders who have also kept him very busy

The top three

Liam Manser had an amazing ride, and finished in a great time of 27 hours and 24 minutes. He passed Rob Roy Cameron after CP2 when he had been having some gut issues and maintained his lead thereafter, arriving in daylight. Rob Roy however, just under 2 hours later, made it back as well. An hour later Randal Davison arrived completing the top three.

Following them in during the very early hours of Saturday morning were Tom Stocker and Peter Clifton. Kevin did manage a couple of powernap hours sleep before daylight morning riders started to flow through.

Steady progress

So many passed through CP2 through Friday night/Saturday morning, that I breathed a slight sigh of relief that my personal plans had meant that I was no longer going to be there to check riders through - although, I did miss it a bit. There are a number of riders heading towards the finish now - all clearly looking forward to a bit of breakfast on arrival. But behind them quite a big gap has formed where I suspect some sleep was sought overnight.

A day in the life

I know that many dotwatchers know exactly what riders of these events go through, but for anyone new to this, here are some of the things that go through riders minds or they have to deal with during the long hours on the trail. To be honest, riding is often the easy bit! Eating - some riders prefer to stuff their bags and pockets full of grab and go food - think Haribo, chocolate, sandwiches, sausage rolls etc, with the odd McD's along the way. This is often the approach that the faster riders take. While for others a hybrid approach works with decent food in cafe's, especially for breakfast. If it gets you to the end, anything goes. Sleeping - this one takes some practice unless you've decided that a late Sunday finish is for you (in which case hostels/hotels can be your friend), but for most riders a few snatched hours in a bivy behind a hedge or on a hillside is most likely - except of course the guys at the pointy end who somehow manage it all on no sleep at all.

Get the eating and sleeping wrong and you're in for a pretty miserable time, and likely to experience all kinds of woes. Get it right though and your dot keeps bouncing until the finish line where you arrive tired but full of a massive sense of achievement.

Although some riders are in small groups, most are riding solo, and that gives plenty of time alone inside your own head. For some this means being able to shut out real world stress for a couple of days, and enjoy the scenery, spots birds of prey, talk to sheep and try not to crash. For others though the strangest thoughts can pop into your head. One rider (who shall remain nameless) has decided that the healing benefits of a really satisfying poo on an ultra event just aren't mentioned enough....so he posted a long ramble on Instagram about it. I think I'll move on now.

We have had more scratches again overnight, broken bodies and broken bikes, this race does take it's toll. There is always a big debate over gravel v MTB on this one, and it will continue to rumble on. Some years lightweight gravel bikes have won the day, but this year the top three included 2 hardtail MTB's. There will be a really mix of bikes out on the course, but whichever bike you ride, building it for comfort is the main thing to consider on these kinds of UK rides. Big tyres, and plenty of comfort for your hands will see you over the South Downs in any weather.

That's my rambling over for the morning. Enjoy watching those dots make their way through Sussex and back to Kent. It's a fabulous day to be out on the bike, and with a Tailwind too, riders will be loving it....hopefully.

The golden arches were a welcome sight through the night as the normally to be avoided fast food joint became a beacon of hope for wet and weary riders. Riders covered in sticky chalky, mud turned up in their droves to dry out, refresh, stuff burgers in their bibs before setting off on their way again into the night. It was a momentary respite for poor Kevin too, as it soon became clear that the pointy end was fast advancing on CP1, so he had to get a move on to stamp the front runners through.

First to arrive around 2:45am was Harry but his bike had taken a battering and he had burned through his brakepads, and didn't have spares. So he slept for a while in Kevins van, hoping to get to a bike shop in the morning to get replacements. There were general niggles with bikes for the front of the pack, but looking at the pace of these guys - most now about to clear the South Downs - it was nothing that couldn't be lived with. Rob Roy Cameron and Liam Manser are setting a storming pace up ahead, but they can't afford to be complacent as there is another group of 5 riders hot on their heels, so it only takes 1 misstep and everything could change.

We've had a few scratches too overnight, with a combination of knee, hand and stomach issues causing the most problems. There was also a loose dog running around Hindhead that bit a rider, but the rider is ok and carrying on.

It would appear the overnight rain has churned the course up a bit, with bits of the North Downs Way being 'gloopy'. They will be glad to hit the South Downs where it should be dry, and that wind in a very helpful direction.

I'll add the photos so far to a new post.

Welcome to the 2024 Edition of the Great British Escapade, a challenging loop around the south east of England that takes in both the North and South Downs.

I'm Marcia, recovered now from running the Southern Divide, returning the Dotwatching commentary favour for Kevin for another year. I've ridden this twice, so I know what the riders are up against.

It can be easy to think that rides in the South of England are easy, but riders of previous Escapades will tell you that nothing could be further from the truth. This ride is short but punchy, takes in 2 challenging hill ranges, and starts in the evening, which means we can take nothing for granted on the leaderboard. This means that most of the front of the pack will ride through the first night and look to be clear of the South Downs in the early hours of Friday night/Saturday morning. Other full value riders might be looking for a couple of hours in a ditch before sunrise tomorrow morning. We are expecting a new course record to be set this year, in part due to a few route changes, including the removal of the infamous Jevington Loop, which appears just when you think you are clear of the South Downs. Riders will be relieved this is gone I'm sure. By this point, they are done with the views, and that extra one just seemed unecessary for some.

This remains a popular race, and it's always a sign of popularity when riders sign up to do it again. There are a lot of familiar faces again, and I look forward to seeing what they can do.

I had been expecting to report that this year would be dry, and with a lovely tailwind along the South Downs, but in true Escapade style, there has been significant rain for the start of the race, but so early on, it will hopefully not have dampened spirits too much. Thankfully, it's not set to last, and it really wouldn't be an Escapade if the rainmaker (Kevin) hadn't ordered at least one downpour.

At the time of reporting, riders have been on the route for 4 hours, and a number have already cleared the Medway at Rochester and are about to hit the North Downs as it heads west. This is a fabulous section, perfectly suited to night riding. There will undoubtably be a few missed turns for those that haven't done it before, but they will quickly get back on track. Judging by number of riders approaching Rochester now, the next couple of hours will be a time to avoid McDonalds, as it's sure to be popular as the riders pass through. There isn't anything else on the route for some time, so they'll be eager for refreshments I'm sure.

I'll leave you now to keep watching those dots, and I'll report back in the morning.

Enjoy