Mountain bike weekend on the South Downs Way, England

Britain’s first long distance bridleway, the South Downs Way, is the 102 mile national trail along the chalk ridge over the undulating countryside between Winchester in Hampshire and Eastbourne in East Sussex. Located in one of the driest and warmest parts of England, and running over chalk, ensures that it maintains a relatively firm and dry surface all the time.

One of Skedaddle’s most popular UK trips, this three-day trip begins in Winchester and covers 100 miles of breathtaking off road biking. We follow the ancient drover’s trails along the top of the South Downs to finish at Beachy Head overlooking the English Channel.

Whilst not requiring technical expertise, a good level of biking fitness is required on this tour. As with all Skedaddle trips, we have the back up of our support vehicle throughout, including collection from Haslemere if arriving by train, and back to here at the end of the ride or alternatively to Eastbourne train station if more convenient.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day One - Arrival - Friday Evening
Our accommodation for the first two evenings is in Cocking, allowing us easy access to the start of the South Downs Way. For those travelling by train we will collect you from Haslemere station to coincide with your train schedule. If arriving by car you will be able to park at the accommodation for the dfuration of the trip. Arrival time is fairly flexible tonight, but once checked into your room you may join the other South Down Skedaddlers for an evening meal or a drink, and a chat to our guides about the schedule for the next few days.

Day Two - Saturday - Winchester to Cocking - Total Distance 36 miles.
An early start today as we need to transfer you by vehicle, from Cocking to Winchester where our first days cycling begins. Following final bike checks and a briefing on the day's biking we set off on our route. Initially, the route takes us through pastures intersected with clumps of trees…quite literally as we pass through Great Clump, Blackbushes Clump and Long Clump to arrive at Telegraph Hill just after Chilcomb. From here we are able to enjoy good views back to Winchester. Our first steep section is Beacon Hill shortly before Exton. Fortunately we descend this one and continue onto Old Winchester Hill, which lies close to the River Meon, and is surmounted by an Iron Age Fort. A 'cheeky' climb out of Coombe Cross to Salt Hill follows where you will see the radio masts of the HMS Mercury naval base. This is reached through rolling downland boasting superb views in all directions. Next stop is Butser Hill, with its mock Iron Age roundhouse and commanding views, before a wonderful open grass descent takes us to Queen Elizabeth Country Park and a well deserved lunch!

A terrific woodland section takes us through the park and shortly afterwards to the Surrey border at Hundred Acres (Originally the official end of the South Downs Way until 1989, when it was extended to Winchester). From here we bike to Beacon Hill, where Chichester Harbour is visible. For the next section until Cocking it climbs and dips, so remember to reserve some energy! A fast and welcome descent ends our day as we head back to Cocking our source of rest and refreshment.

Day Three - Sunday - Cocking to Hurstpeirpont - Total Distance 37 Miles.
No transfer this morning as or second day's riding begins from our accommodation in Cocking. We start the day with a climb before entering a section of woodland that extends to Barkdale. A good flinty track through arable fields means a fast descent as we approach Amberley.

Alas, no time to visit Amberley’s Industrial museum (unless you need a wheel mending on the forge!). As we leave the village and its nearby chalk pits, look out for gliders overhead, from the nearby Southdown Gliding Club and continue eastwards. A climb out of Amberley takes us onto the ridge with great views back along the Downs. Our route continues along the edge of the escarpment passing close to Sullington and later Washington, from where Worthing and the sea should be visible to the south. The climb from Washington (though not too bad) greets us prior to Chanctonbury Ring. This Iron Age Fort is famous for the trees planted in 1760 and the man who for months carried water up the hill to aid their growth. No need to worry though, as we won’t be loading you up with water…unless you’re carrying out some strange penance, as our support vehicle is very close and has all the water and food you need.

From the top the lovely ridgetop track is perfect for a fast descent. The Downs become more plateau-like now as we skirt around the rim of Steyning Bowl. The landscape here is a mixture of arable and pasture, and the tracks flinty. The Downs here are bare, giving a sense of isolation. The contrast between valleys make the hills seem quite mountainous. A tough climb before lunch (no surprise to past Skedaddlers!) takes us from Upper Beeding to Truleigh Hill and affords us great views of one of the Downs most open areas. A cracking downhill takes us to the impressive dry valley of the Devil's Dyke on a wonderful stretch of trail. Don’t forget now to look not only to the skies for inspiration but also for hang gliders, as this is a particularly favourite spot for them. From Devil's Dyke we head via Pyecombe to to the Jack and Jill windmills of Clayton. Our accommodation tonight is in the villages of either Clayton or nearby Hurstpierpoint, both reached by a superb descent from the windmills.

Day Four - Monday - Hurstpeipont to Eastbourne - Total distance 29 miles.
Great views westwards towards Devils Dyke and Chanctonbury Ring, both of which you cycled past yesterday, and northwards to Burgess Hill, provide the perfect prelude to our final day’s biking. The Way now has a very open feel of major panoramas as we leave the windmills and head via Ditchling Beacon along the ridgetop. Next ‘stop’ is Juggs Road, an ancient route used to carry fish to Lewes Market and whose name is derived from the fact that the fish were kept in pottery jugs for the journey. Shortly after, we cross the Greenwich Meridian 0 degrees longitude and pass from the west hemisphere into the east, at White Way. After crossing the River Ouse we arrive at the flat brooklands of the Ouse Valley. A relatively easy stretch with great views of Bottoms; notably Short, Greenaway, and Jerry. Bottom is the local term for small valleys, though perhaps there has been a bottom that has been spurring you on during the last couple of days?!?

The quintessentially English village of Alfriston follows and so does the penultimate 'cheeky' climb of the trip, followed by a fantastic traverse across open fields and a ‘knarly’ wooded section – watch out for those roots!  Our first port of call is to the Long Man at Wilmington Hill. This hill figure looking ‘naked to the shires’ is the largest representation of a human in Western Europe. Restored in 1874, its possible purpose is as an agricultural fertility figure. After Jevington an excellent gate free section as we head through open downland close to Eastbourne and do the last real climb before finally riding past the golf club and across the hilltop onto Beachy Head itself!

Equipment
We provide everything except personal equipment, clothing and a bike (although you can hire bikes if required). Apart from your emergency tool kit & spare inner tube you will not be required to take any extra equipment. If you are planning to bring your own bike we strongly advise a well maintained / serviced mountain bike with a minimum of 24 gears and at least front suspension as well as tyres with an appropriate level of tread.

What the price doesn't include
(A)  Bike and helmet hire (if required, £65).
(B)  Personal clothing and equipment.
(C) Transfer from Beachy Head to Cocking if you have arrived by car (£25)
(D)  Insurance (if required, £13).
(E)  Evening meals and bar bills
(F)  Single room option.