multiple bikes being held up by a metal frame, with a 'reilly cycleworks' banner in the background.

Adventure on The South Downs Way


Titanium Bike Bags in the back of a van for Bikepacking trip

The sun was shining on Saturday morning as 15 women rocked up at Spring Gardens Farm Shop in Washington for the Reilly Wild Women: an intro to bike packing weekend.

It soon became apparent that while we were wild women we were less keen to be wild women carrying kit and the van was soon bursting with bags, tents, pillows and the like.

 

Group of Reilly Titanium cyclists before a gravel adventure

Day 1 

Distance 26.4 mi with 2,300 ft uphill and 2,075 ft downhill.  
 
We set off in beautiful sunshine and pedaled hard till we got to Chanctonbury Ring where we all had to enjoy the wonderful view.  
Someway along the group split but came together again for coffee and cake at Riverside Tearooms  in Amberley.
  

Map of Reilly Titanium south downs way route
Reilly Titanium cyclist taking a selfie with landscape in the background
Group of Reilly cyclists in a grassy field in summer time
Group of Reilly Titanium cyclists riding through a forest
A group of cyclists riding Reilly Titanium bikes down a hill
Group of cyclists riding Reilly titanium bikes through a field

 

The fast group (aka The Keenie Beanies) were first to arrive at Littleton Farm Campsite in Upwaltham.  A beautiful location, run by a really friendly and relaxed farmer with excellent facilities. 

A number of Reilly Titanium ambassadors stopping for a lunch break after cycling
Reilly cycleoworks pop up event in the middle of a field in South England
Reilly Titanium female cyclists drinking a cold beer

 

Some of the group paired it right back, sleeping in a body bag, oops I mean a bivvy bag while others opted for casual glamping. We all ended the night sat around the campfire. 

Reilly Titanium cyclist bikepacking sleeping in a tent
Reilly Titanium cyclist sleeping in a sleeping bag during a bikepacking trip
Reilly titanium cyclist carrying an air bed through a field for a bikepacking camping trip
Reilly Titanium cyclist waking up in a tent ready for the morning cycle
Reilly cyclist putting up a tent ready for a bikepacking journey
Group of cyclists around a bonfire during a cycling bikepacking journey

 

 

 

Group of Reilly cyclists awaiting to start day 2 of a bikepacking trip

Day 2 

Up early for a wonderful breakfast thanks to Cadence Cafe on site. 


Reilly Titanium cyclist stops for a break at Cadence Coffee
Reilly Titanium Bike Co pop up coffee and snack bar

 

Distance 19.4 mi with 1,750 ft uphill and 1,975 ft downhill. 

The Keenie Beanies set off at a fast pace and even with coffee stops came in first.  The less fast (aka The Back of The Bus) encountered a few mechanicals so ended up riding the final 6 miles on the road to ensure they got to Spring Gardens in time for lunch while The Mountain Bikers stuck to the off road and powered in shortly after. 

Reilly Titanium bikepacking route for day 2
Reilly titanium cyclist riding on a gravel path
Reilly titanium cyclist waving whilst cycling
A tired cyclist pushes their bike up a dusty trail
Group of Reilly Titanium cyclists during a gravel bike ride
A no cars allowed sign on a British country lane

 

What a wonderful way to finish such an epic weekend with a mouthwatering spread by Spring Gardens Cafe in Washington. 

Big thanks go to Reilly Ambassador Elaine Burroughs for creating the routes and keeping everyone on track throughout the weekend.  

 

A group of Reilly Titanium cyclists stop for lunch at a pub
A selection of snacks prepared for Reilly Titanium's bikepacking trip
A bowl of salad with condiments for the Reilly Titanium bikepacking trip
A selection of confectionaries prepared for Reilly Titanium cyclists after a group bike ride
A group of Reilly Titanium cyclists sitting on a bench
A group of female Reilly Titanium bike owners

 

This adventure was a chance to try off-road cycling. Although all participants were cyclists a few hadn't ridden gravel bikes before so tried out the Reilly demo bikes.

Cath on Gradient in XS

Lisa and Clare on Gradient T47 Clare's with the classified powershift 

Zoe and Sue-Ann on Spectre with Panaracer Gravelking SK tyres in 38 mm

When asked about the bike, Cath summed it up “Haven’t you seen me? I’ve been smiling all day. I love it”. In fact, she and Lisa loved the demo bikes so much that they bought them at the end of the trip!

To have a go on a Reilly bike call the sales team on 01273 694143 or  Send an Email