I have done the SDW from Eastbourne and the official route seems to avoid Beachy Head. Google maps still shows an alternative coastal route past Birling gap though : as I am doing Worthing to Eastbourne soon, is it allowed to use what seems to be the old route. And if so, where to we branch off to catch it? I assume somewhere before or after Jevington but I also assume there is no signage. Any help would be appreciated.
Beachy Head Birling Gap bit is footpath. Though there are bridleways around the downs at that point and it can be cheekily ridden. We do a cheeky night ride that takes in Beachy Head and the 7 Sisters and by Exceat your legs are FUBAR.
It splits at Alfriston, TR and head towards Litlington for the footpath which will end up at Cuckmere haven and the 7 sisters or TL and follow SDW Bridleway over Wendover hill
cycling over Birling gap and Beachy Head
Have you never seen Quadrophenia???? 😉
"We do a cheeky night ride that takes in Beachy Head and the 7 Sisters"
I bet you check your batteries thoroughly before that one!
I would split off the SDW at Alfriston, head up lullington heath then drop into Friston forest taking singletrack toward Friston Pond. Then road/path down to Crowlink and left at the cliff to follow it along to Birling gap / beachy head. Not meant to ride that bit but I don't buy the erosion argument when the sea is taking the cliff faster than bikes ever will.
At beachy head you can stay high following the ridge down to the end of the SDW. Or go for a rampage style finish down the cliff just west of Cow Gap.
The other way is best; b.head westwards on the cliff edge Rollercoaster!
Then, yeah, 7 sisters like what Ming says.
Cheeky, so watch out for peds.
Thx all. Friston forest looks like fun so we're probably going there by turning right just before Jevington church and hope we can find the nice pieces of single track.
We will try to go up from Birling gap but if too tired or too unwelcome we'll probably take the road up back to BH and Eastbourne as we are training back to Worthing.