Trail centres
One of several busy road crossings on the SDW (Route 15)
This guidebook does not include route descriptions for the mountain biking trail centres at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park on the Downs between Chichester and Petersfield, at Houghton Forest near Amberley and at Friston Forest near Seaford; nor informal trails such as those at Wild Park and Stanmer Park in Brighton. These dedicated trails are well worth visiting, especially for those with a fondness for singletrack and downhilling.
Getting there and getting around
Essentially, there are three options for getting to the South Downs. Firstly, if you’re lucky enough to live in this wonderful region you can always bike it. The second option is to travel by train. All the main centres along the South Downs are served by mainline routes from London and other parts of the south east. There are also good rail links between the main cities and towns around the Downs and the stations in between. Journey times from London take from less than an hour (52mins from London Victoria to Brighton) to an hour and a half (92mins from Victoria to Chichester). Connections to minor stations will obviously add to your journey time.
All of the rides in this guide either start from or are accessible from nearby railway stations. There are also options for extending or cutting short rides by means of other railway stations near the routes.
Most trains have dedicated space for two bikes, which is hardly adequate. Bikes can also go in the door areas, but this can be a hassle if you have to keep moving your bike to let people on and off. Engineering works often take place at weekends on the southern rail network, and rail replacement buses do not carry bikes – so check before travelling. There are rush hour restrictions on taking bikes on most lines in the south east, so check these out before making your journey. Timetable information, as well as information on engineering works and on bike restrictions, can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk. Or call 08457 484950.
The third option is to travel by car. There are car parks at many sites all the way along the South Downs, which can make travelling by car easier and more convenient (car parks are indicated on the route maps). However, the less traffic there is around the National Park the better for everyone, so please leave your car at home unless using it is unavoidable because of time restrictions, engineering works or long-winded rail connections.
Andy Goldsworthy chalk ball (Route 11)
When to go
The South Downs are superb for mountain biking all year round and each season has its own particular charms. Obviously downland bridleways and byways are at their driest in summer – when you can fairly zip along the ridges and enjoy greater traction on the uphills. But the summer months are also much busier than other seasons, especially at weekends and during the summer holidays, and so require greater vigilance for walkers, horse riders and other people out enjoying the Downs. Spring and autumn are that bit quieter, but the weather and therefore conditions on the ground are obviously less predictable.
Winter can be an excellent time for mountain biking on the Downs, as long as you’re not frightened of getting muddy. However, after prolonged periods of rain the chalk/clay soil in certain areas can be transformed into a highly-adhesive quagmire, completely gumming up your bike and making riding impossible. This is no excuse to avoid the Downs in winter, as there are plenty of well-drained areas where mud isn’t so much of a problem. Those areas prone to mud are indicated in the route descriptions.
Safety
Most of the time, mountain biking is a perfectly safe activity and arguably safer than riding on roads. However, rutted, slippery and loose surfaces are frequently encountered and if you take a tumble at speed, you risk causing considerable damage to yourself. Riding downhill at speed is one of the great joys of mountain biking, but it is essential that you maintain control. If you can’t see who or what is coming round a bend, slow down. Likewise, if you have never ridden a particular downhill before and don’t know what to anticipate, moderate your speed.
Watch out for adders basking on paths
Make sure that your brakes are working efficiently and that your tyres are inflated properly (30–40psi depending on terrain, conditions, your weight and so on). Check that all quick releases are tight and wheels are secure.
Wear a helmet and appropriate clothing, carry a first aid kit, plenty of water, some high-energy snacks, a map, compass and a mobile phone. Wear some sunblock in summer. Carry waterproofs in wet weather. Carry spare inner tubes, a pump and basic tool kit. Carry lights if there’s any chance that you’ll be out after dusk (equipment is covered in more detail below). If you go riding on your own, let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return.
In case of injury or other incident, try to stay calm and assess your situation. If anyone with you is injured remember ‘ABC’ – airway, breathing, circulation (signs of life, blood loss). Make any casualties warm and comfortable and place any unconscious casualties in the recovery position. Try to ascertain your exact position on the map and consider your options for finding shelter, staying put or seeking help. Remember that it may take an emergency team some time to reach you. If you decide to call for help, call 999 and ask for both Police and Ambulance. Be ready to give the location of the incident (grid references, map sheet number, name of the area and description of the terrain), any injuries and names of casualties. Be prepared to supply the numbers of any phones carried by the party; describe the nature and time of the incident and weather conditions at the incident site, equipment at the site, including warm clothing and shelter, distinguishing features and markers at the site, and the location from which you are phoning if different from the incident site.
Equipment
Your bike
Out on the bridleways and byways of the South Downs you will encounter mountain bikers riding machines costing between a few hundred pounds and a few thousand. Your choice of bike is contingent on a number of factors but, generally, how much you spend depends on the relation between your disposable income and your degree of enthusiasm. There is no doubt that a top of the range, lightweight bike with high-specification components can only add to the enjoyment of off-road mountain biking. Better-made bikes also tend to perform more efficiently and, arguably, need less maintenance. However, when components need replacing they are also going to be more expensive.
There is little point spending thousands on a bike that only sees action a few times a year, but for those who are serious about their sport a good quality machine is essential. However, choosing the right type of mountain bike for you is a far more important business than the relative cost alone and it is best to seek the advice of industry professionals (see Appendix C) before buying.
Choosing the right frame size is a crucial factor, bearing in mind that a smaller frame than you would need for a road bike is better suited for off-road mountain biking. Front suspension forks are recommended for the often hard and bumpy flint-studded downland chalk tracks: but most mountain bikes come with front suspension forks as standard these days.
The South Downs are as appropriate terrain as any for full-suspension bikes, although many people prefer to ride ‘hardtail’ machines – that is, front suspension only. This is a matter of personal preference dictated in part by the kind of riding you do.
The steep climb from the Arun Valley (Route 12)
Tools and maintenance
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