The South Downs is a mountain biker's paradise. Thousands of kilometres of well-maintained byways and bridleways can be combined to create seemingly inexhaustible route combinations. The 26 routes in this book are graded (blue, red and black) for a range of abilities, and grouped into 6 sections: The South Downs Way National Trail (the whole route described in 3 stages) and routes around Winchester, Chichester and Petersfield, Arundel and Worthing, Brighton and Lewes and Eastbourne. They range from 14km to 57km in length and up to 95% off road, providing plenty of challenge for any mountain biker.
Many tracks traverse well-drained chalk downland, providing superlative off-road conditions for much of the year. All routes are clearly illustrated on OS maps with numbered stages linking the route descriptions to maps. Extensive information is also included on facilities and services, including bike shops and mechanics, cafes, pubs and food shops, accommodation and transport links and tips on bike gear and preparation.
Mountain Biking on the South Downs
Description
Table of Contents
Introduction
Mountain biking on the South Downs
About the routes in this guide
Getting there and getting around
When to go
Safety
Equipment
Navigation
Hydration
Food
Rights of way and other users
Maps
How to use this guide
Abbreviations
THE ROUTES
The South Downs Way National Trail
The South Downs Way: Introduction
1: The South Downs Way Day 1: Winchester to Cocking
2: The South Downs Way Day 2: Cocking to Ditchling Beacon
3: The South Downs Way Day 3: Ditchling Beacon to Eastbourne
Routes around Winchester
4: New Alresford - Warnford Circuit
5: Winchester - Gander Down Circuit
6: Winchester to Petersfield (and return variants)
Routes around Chichester and Petersfield
7: Westdean Woods and Cocking Down
8: Heyshott Down and Charlton Forest
9: Petersfield - Beacon Hill Circuit
10: Chichester - Charlton Forest Circuit
11: Petersfield - Singleton Forest Circuit
Routes around Arundel and Worthing
12: Amberley and Houghton Forest
13: Worthing - Chanctonbury Ring Circuit
14: Worthing - Springhead Hill Circuit
15: Arundel - Graffham Down Circuit (and Amberley variant)
16: Lancing - Amberley Mount Circuit
Routes around Brighton and Lewes
17: Castle Hill Circuit
18: Brighton - Lewes Circuit
19: Brighton - Truleigh Hill Circuit
20: Devil's Dyke - Blackcap Circuit
21: Brighton to Eastbourne
22: Brighton - Ouse Valley Circuit
Routes around Eastbourne
23: Friston Forest Circuit
24: Seaford - Firle Beacon Circuit
25: Eastbourne - Cuckmere Valley Circuit
26: Eastbourne - Firle Beacon Circuit
Appendices
Appendix A: Camping and accommodation
Appendix B: Water points along the South Downs Way
Appendix C: Bike shops/mechanics
Appendix D: Useful contacts
Author Description
About Peter Edwards
Peter Edwards grew up in Sussex, where he nurtured a love of walking and mountain biking amid what Rudyard Kipling called the 'blunt, bow-headed, whale-backed' hills of the South Downs. He lives in the Outer Hebrides with his wife, Fiona, and Labradors, Mara and Sandie.