Any decent riding around there? Looking for DH, technical singletrack type of stuff..
If you have any gps files and an idea of trail condition at the moment, that is awesome...
Cheerio,
Andre
No.
There are a few hours worth of trails in Stanmer Park, and a few hours worth of trails in Friston Forest.
The south downs themselves are mainly rigid 29er territory. Long rolling climbs and drops.
That's a pretty big area you're talking about, over 100 miles from one end to the other so care to be more specific? As for conditions at the moment, not exactly bone dry but the South Downs way generally drains pretty well.
QE Country Park is located on the South Downs and has some excellent technical singletrack. It may also have some sneaky DH stuff too, but I woudnt know about that.
Info:
http://www.qecptrailcollective.co.uk
Its wet and muddy at the moment, but stick some mud tyres on and you'll find the trails good fun
Technical no. Swoopy woodland singletrack that goes on for miles and miles yes.
If you go to the North Escarpment in a lot of places there's some pretty good DH type tracks. Not sure the pixies will want them published on a public forum though.
Stanmer Woods, Whiteways, Steyning Woods, Friston Forest, Kingley Vale.
You'll have to go searching, or if not try BrightonMTB or SussexMTB for more info or local group rides.
If you're a fan of fast descents then I agree, the North facing slopes of the South Downs can be great fun. You're typically going down bridleways or farm tracks but they can be seriously quick. I also ride in Wales and the Surrey Hills a fair bit but the fastest I ever go is on the South Downs near Brighton.
Try riding flat out down the middle of Devils Dyke and see how fast you go, which reminds me, must get round to putting that one on Strava sometime soon!
Stanmer Woods, Whiteways, Steyning Woods, Friston Forest, Kingley Vale.
+ Stoughton DH, Rogate DH, QECP
VERY MUDDY apart from rogate(Its sandy there)an idea of trail condition
Thanks Chaps. I have looked some of those places after google search.
As per where to go - I do not mind. Going from London, so closer the better but hoping the weather will hold and camp overnight. Which reminds me - a good campsite around might be a plus factor.
Andre
If you're thinking of camping bear in mind that you and your bike will be completely covered in mud!
Loads of good riding, but you need the right bit of the South Downs. Def best to get a local guide who can show you the best bits. (Obviously no one has shown Continuity 😉 ). Try Blacklands Farm near Henfield for camping. Close(ish) to A27/A23 and some of the best riding the South Downs has to offer.
Its a bit soft out at the moment though.
Friston's rubbish, no singletrack at all and really flat and boring.
As per where to go - I do not mind. Going from London, so closer the better but hoping the weather will hold and camp overnight. Which reminds me - a good campsite around might be a plus factor.
from london Down the A3 is very easy (stay some where near petersfield/chichester i can show you round some of the trail) Here some of my local stuff:
XC: http://www.pinkbike.com/video/255358/
DH: http://www.pinkbike.com/video/238772/
http://www.pinkbike.com/video/249285/
[i]Friston's rubbish, no singletrack at all and really flat and boring[/i]
Apart from Mings hidden man traps...