Mountain Biking on the North Downs

This guidebook covers 20 mountain biking routes set throughout the length and breadth of the North Downs, from Farnham in the west to Dover in the east, as well as a route along the Downs Link, which joins the North Downs Way with the South Downs Way. They range from 18.5km to 59km in length and up to 90% off road. The routes, illustrated with OS map extracts and height profiles, are graded for difficulty (blue, red and black) and are suitable for mountain bikers with at least some experience and a reasonable degree of fitness. The guide gives practical information on recommended gear, preparation and safety, as well as details of accommodation and local bike shops.

Table of Contents:
Emergencies Map key Overview map Introduction About the routes in this guide Centres Getting there and getting around When to go Safety Equipment Tools and maintenance Navigation Hydration Food Rights of way and other users Waymarking Maps Using this guide Routes around Guildford Route 1 Puttenham Common loop Route 2 St Martha's Hill-Abinger loop Routes around Dorking Route 3 Hackhurst Downs-Polesden Lacey loop Route 4 Gomshall-Westhumble loop Route 5 Leith Hill and Holmbury Hill loop Route 6 Surrey Hills Grand Traverse Routes around Reigate and Redhill Route 7 Oxted and Bletchingley loop Route 8 Box Hill-Banstead Heath loop Route 9 Warlingham-Biggin Hill loop Routes around Maidstone and the Medway Valley Route 10 Oldbury Hill and Mereworth Woods Route 11 Meopham-Wrotham loop Route 12 Bearsted, Detling Hill and Blue Bell Hill Routes around Ashford Route 13 Bilsington and Faggs Wood loop Route 14 Wye Downs loop Routes around Canterbury Route 15 Chartham Downs loop Route 16 Chilham and King's Wood loop Route 17 Rough Common-Blean Wood loop Routes around Elham and Temple Ewell Route 18 Elham Valley loop Route 19 Alkham-Barham Downs loop Route 20 Temple Ewell loop The Downs Link Appendices Appendix A: Camping and accommodation Appendix B: Bike shops/bike hire/bike mechanics Appendix C: Useful contacts

About the Author :
Peter Edwards grew up in Sussex and nurtured a love of walking amid the hills of the South Downs. He has undertaken numerous walking and cycling expeditions in Europe and beyond and is drawn to wild and remote landscapes in particular. He moved to Glasgow in 2006.