Mountain Biking on the South Downs

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.

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

About the Author :
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.