2 Hour Brighton Ride

For the past two evenings we have been short of time due to work commitments and rapidly shortening daylight hours. On the evenings of the 19th & 20th Sept we did a ride that took us 2 hours and involved some South Downs Way trundling as well as some playtime in Stanmer Woods. The ride is not difficult and only includes one hill to go up and down; however this can be difficult both up and down.

From the Jack & Jill carpark we turned east to the SDW and the climb towards Ditchling Beacon. Half way up the final rocky climb to the beacon a bridleway is signposted on the right along a narrow path between the fields and heading directly south towards North Bottom, go along here. The bridleway drops steeply down a rutted track completely covered in small lose rocks and boulders, go carefully as you need to turn sharpe left around the hill top as soon as the track ends (do not go all the way down through the field). Follow the path around the hill top, through the gate at the end and then across Ditchling Road and straight through the gap in the hedge opposite. Once through the hedge turn right and follow the narrow trail directly into Stanmer Woods. Stanmer Woods is a small area however there is a lot of singletrack here ranging from tight and twisty to logs and fallen trees across the trail. Keep your eyes open and follow your nose along anything that looks interesting. We entered the singletrack on the right immediatly after the first gate into the woods and emerged where the trees meet the playing fields opposite Southern Water offices, singletrack all the way!

When you are tired retrace your bike tracks, from the playing fields it takes about 50 minutes to get back to the Jack & Jill carpark.