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Morning All,
Thinking of riding the Downslink tomorrow starting at Shoreham for sunrise coffee and chips on the beach when I get back. Based on various websites and whatnot I'm guessing the surface is generally gravel bike friendly and relatively unswamplike although thinking also it might be a busy with half term?
Planned route is below and the all important coffee and cake stop recommendations are most welcome too!
Based on the rain we've had the last few days it will be utterly minging and covered in filthy puddles. I wouldn't and if I did not without full length mudguards. The surface is really bad in parts, I've seen people on bikes completely coated, head to toe, not mud, just black grime.
I remember seeing an online campaign a few years ago (might have been a link on here) to have the whole thing redone with a proper all weather surface, lots of comments saying it would be tarmacking over the countryside and I agreed with that initially but reading more about it, it really isn't and a decent surface would provide a proper all year car-free commuting route
Ah, well that's really useful to know as I was looking at this as cleaner option then my local trails which have suffered in the recent rains. Guess I'll save myself the drive and stay local instead.
I'd second that. It's mucky when wet. Much better on a long dry June/July day when all the coffee and cake stops are open.
A lot of it has been resurfaced in the last few years and is relatively puddle and mud free. North of Rudgwick is where you'll find filth and long stretches under water. South of Rudgwick is fairly good.
I did not know that! Be good when they've done the whole thing
I love doing the Downslink but worth waiting til it's not rained for a couple of weeks. My first ride of the year tends to be Easter or when the bluebells are out. Holidays don't make much difference, it's usually pretty quiet, though you get more dopey types getting in the way through Southwater Country Park.
One can always hope davosaurusrex, but I believe much of what's south of Rudgwick got done because it's in Sussex rather than Surrey. WSCC applied for money from the EU to fund it, obviously that won't be repeated.
Yeah now you mention it bitmuddy, it's the Guildford to Rudgewick section that gets mucky with the rain. Dries out fairly well tho
I live near the Downlink - and I am not sharing the love for it!
The Shoreham end is absolutely fine - but in the deluge that we have had there are big puddles everywhere. As long as you do the Shoreham end early you will miss the militant walkers and parents. ( Best Chips are from Shoreham Fish Bar on Buckingham Road, unless you want to hit Worthing and go to Chiswick. Wolfies in Hove also deserves a mention)
(also a quick mention for the Hummingbird at the airport, and the better coffee caravan round to the side, and La Patisserie on East Street). The Beach bakery is not bad - just avoid Truffles.
I have only got as far North as Southwater before a boredom urge kicks in. (but I am not a gravel bike rider TBF)
It is gravel bike, rather than MTB territory. It will be. a lot better by March
By July and August, the South end becomes like the M25
Combine it with an excursion up to Chanctonbury and Cissbury rings and it gets a lot more interesting, and you'll be glad not to be on a rigid frame.
Some good info here. I was planning on doing it soon, but I think I'll leave it for a bit.
And do the Lion Trail into Mouse Lane !
If you are feeling a bit more flush - go the the Crabshack at Worthing
In the dry it is definitely gravel material - I did it on my electric unicycle as part of a London to Brighton run