Muddy@rse Ride Whiteways 19th August Recce

The next Muddy@rse ride is at Whiteways Just north of Arundel on 19th August. The first half of the ride is a repeat of our last ride here in January but this time we have added more singletrack on the return leg. Total distance is approximately 20 miles but we have the option to either cut short or extend it depending how everyone feels on the day. We have cut out the painful slog of the Monarchs Way that caused a few red faces last time. There is nothing 'dodgy' on the ride and all technical sections have an alternative. As always with South Downs rides there a some hills but nothing remotely steep. None of us are racers and no one will get left behind.

As in January we start by dropping into the trees behind the cafe and snake down to the fireroad and through 'The Jungle', a section of little used singletrack that is covered in ferns and general healthy woodland growth. A few comedy moments here as we both ended up with undergrowth grabbing the bars. Up to the top of Rewell wood followed by the long open and smooth downhill to the bridleway cross-roads. At this point we deviate from the January route and head south west along a ribbon of singletrack with drop on the right hand side, for obvious reasons we often refer to this as 'Tony's Ridge'. A quick detour of 20 yards on the road and a cheeky route back into the woodland for a gentle descent ending in an overgrown rutted track. Now ride or push uphill for 20 yards for the 'Rim Ride' followed by the 'Panda Garden'. Through Slindon woods taking in 'The Drop' & 'The Tree' and then a steady climb to Bignor Hill. Return to Whiteways via the usual singletrack in Houghton Woods.

The cafe at Whiteways is well stocked but out on the ride there is nowhere to buy food or drink of any type. Carry plenty of food and drink with you.

Check the photo section for a taster of some of the new sections added to this ride.