The Darkness
Following our experience last week when the darkness enveloped us this time we were prepared with lights and fully charged batteries. I adjusted my rear light to maximum brightness for the final road dash and the cars gave us a reasonably wide berth.
Ths evening we headed east from the Jack & Jill carpark through New Barn Farm and around Rag-Bottom. At the top of Rag-Bottom turn left, through the gate and onto the next gate. Turn south on the Sussex Border path, down past the Chattri to the A27. Take a right and follow the road as it shadows first the A27 and then the A23, cross the A23 on the footbridge (look carefully for the entrance next to the house). Turn right up Sweet Hill and continue north on the Sussex Border Path, straight on and across Newtimber Hill to cross the A23 at Pycombe. At Pycombe go up the road directly in line with the bridge you have just used, this heads directly east and quickly becomes a steep rocky track, at the top turn left down the narrow bridleway. This section is badly horse rutted and muddy, it is a challenge but great fun. Go through the first gate you come to on the right and turn right to climb and descend the south edge of Wolstonbury Hill. Down through Rockrose Riding School and directly back to the Jack & Jill carpark.
There is something refreshingly different riding at night with lights, the familier singletrack that is usually treated with contempt suddenly develops a life of it's own and every twist, turn, root and rock is an adventure. My usual problem is clipping trail-side trees with the handlebars, there is only one outcome and I come second!
Ths evening we headed east from the Jack & Jill carpark through New Barn Farm and around Rag-Bottom. At the top of Rag-Bottom turn left, through the gate and onto the next gate. Turn south on the Sussex Border path, down past the Chattri to the A27. Take a right and follow the road as it shadows first the A27 and then the A23, cross the A23 on the footbridge (look carefully for the entrance next to the house). Turn right up Sweet Hill and continue north on the Sussex Border Path, straight on and across Newtimber Hill to cross the A23 at Pycombe. At Pycombe go up the road directly in line with the bridge you have just used, this heads directly east and quickly becomes a steep rocky track, at the top turn left down the narrow bridleway. This section is badly horse rutted and muddy, it is a challenge but great fun. Go through the first gate you come to on the right and turn right to climb and descend the south edge of Wolstonbury Hill. Down through Rockrose Riding School and directly back to the Jack & Jill carpark.
There is something refreshingly different riding at night with lights, the familier singletrack that is usually treated with contempt suddenly develops a life of it's own and every twist, turn, root and rock is an adventure. My usual problem is clipping trail-side trees with the handlebars, there is only one outcome and I come second!
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