Neil Newell breaking the first singlespeed SDW Double record (pics: Rory Hitchens)

We reported yesterday that Neil Newell had set off from Winchester with the aim of being the first person to set a singlespeed record for the South Downs Double.

Neil began his mammoth mission at 8.30am yesterday (Tuesday) morning aboard his rigid On-One 29er singlespeed, and completed the epic 202mile ride just a few short hours ago. His time was a staggering 23h 20m 32s.

Neil Newell was one of the original instigators of this challenge gaining the interest it has, already setting his personal best of 22h 20m 25s, last September. For this latest challenge, Neil rode a singlespeed (32×21 gearing) and was completely unsupported, as first pioneered by Rob Lee.

If you missed out on the chance to watch Neil’s ride blow by blow yesterday and through the night, you can retrace the route he followed here.

We’ll have more words and pictures and a full interview with Neil in due course. But for now, a hearty congratulations from everybody at BM.