Prolific event organisers Trail Break will celebrate the 15th anniversary of its South Downs Lemming Trail when it goes ahead on the 4-5 September.

The two-day event offers a choice of 80 or 100 miles with every aspect of the weekends logistics taken care of, leaving you to concentrate on the ride. There’s full route marking along the whole 100 miles, in addition to the permanent SDW signs, with regular checkpoints and feedstations.

Trail Break first held this event in 1996, but they were faced with considerable hurdles to get it underway. We’ll let Trail Break pick up the story:

“In the mid 90’s, cycling was an afterthought on the South Downs Way. The official trail had been increased by 20 miles at the Winchester end, to bring it up to the magic 100 mile mark, but with the telling inclusion of several sections of footpath. The powers that be clearly considered it solely as a long distance walking route.

“In early 1996, we sat down with the local authorities to discuss their plans for an organised mass bike ride along the route. Temporary alternative bike-legal sections were agreed to circumvent the footpath stretches. Then we approached map makers Harveys to suggest a single sheet map covering the whole South Downs Way, including the bridleway alternatives.

“In September of that year, we staged the South Downs Way Lemming Trail (named for it’s spectacular cliff top finish location at Beachy Head) and 200 bikers in the garish clothing of the day discovered the joys of this epic ride.”

The 2010 incarnation of the event will see all luggage transportation to the overnight stop taken care of, with a choice of  hostel bed or camping space. There’s dinner and Sunday breakfast, plus a packed lunch option for Sunday, coach transport option back to the start from the finish and a free finishers t-shirt.

If that sounds appealing, head over to www.trailbreak.co.uk for more info.