So a mate and I are looking to do London to Brighton on our road bikes this summer.
Any one got suggestions for a route (obviously we would like the quietest roads we could find).
Any other advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks David
for the old route 20 that starts on the Wandle trail. Ridden this a few times down from London to Surrey, and then on to Brighton.
and this alternative - https://cycle.travel/route/london_to_brighton
Tim.
I think this maybe the same one Timf posted but i often use this one https://www.komoot.com/tour/31621694 Ditchling Beacon is the only really bad bit and the roads are pretty chill most the time.
Worth following the L2B BHF route for a start: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12192844?lang=en
There are lots of lanes in Sussex (Turners Hill, Slaugham, Staplefield, Cuckfield, Slugwash Lane, Ditchling or Hurstpierpoint, Pyecombe) that will get you down to Brighton without using any kind of main A or B road. NCN 20 as timf says gets you so far but has a gap in the middle.
Whatever you do, don't be tempted to cycle on the A23 - sometimes you see people cycling down it and they are risking life and limb, and probably having a shit time of it too
And if you're going over the beacon - then worth stopping in Ditchling for a pint before you do
I do london to Brighton and back every year for the last 5 years...we just follow the BHF route...for proper quiet we start at 6am Tadworth roundabout a217 ...Nice chilled ride barely any cars and on the beach before 9am for breakfast....the hard part is getting back, mainly because the first few miles are uphill ...proper killer .
We normally go when the weather is great.?so the mornings are crisp but as the day goes on it gets hotter and hotter...probably why riding back is so draining
Great day out...pub stops make it greater
Join the Fridays! www.fnrttc.org.uk
Brighton is 15th July this year.
This was last years, https://strava.app.link/EuXF1JWDCnb
I live in sunny Twickenham so pointed a bit NNW on my way home, nice route (except for the bit around Godard’s Green where the road was shut 🤦
@jimdubleyou the roadworks at Goddards Green are reaching their end i think. No problems getting through that way at the moment.
Realistically you either want to be one lane east or west of the road that would bring you out at that roundabout. Or you go via Wineham, or Ditchling
Re the comments about the A23 , it has a cycle path alongside or signed to adjacent quiet roads all the way from Redhill to Brighton - a lot of junctions to negotiate in Crawley through. When I have been down to the South Downs and I need to get a move on to get back to Surrey I use it and it is fine.
see this https://cycle.travel/route/summary/471
meant to include this in my earlier post.
Thanks folks
Any idea what the London part of the old route 20 is like?
Any idea what the London part of the old route 20 is like?
It runs through parks and paths alongside the Wandle river, joined up by some pavement cycle paths and odd bit of residential road. It is good for a safe relaxed ride rather than a blast. Reasonable well signed, but in place have to look carefully to find sign.