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Going to have a few hours free tomorrow morning and would have the chance for a ride up onto Devil's Dyke.
Is it going to be rideable, I know that downland chalk can get really sticky?
Any advice appreciated,
APF
sticky but generally not unrideable (it never is really) up top and along the sdw.
certainly better than the wooded bits either side.
Mmmm, "not unrideable"? That's not a ringing endorsement. For the sake of a few hours, will I end up scraping clag of my bike all afternoon?
I'll have the chance to go back (M&D have just moved there), so could wait for a better opportunity.
APF
Went out Sunday evening around Cissbury/Chanctonbury. There were swamps in some areas but generally pretty rideable in most places. My mate had the bright idea of doing a track down Cissbury back to Worthing that is well used by horses, after the first 100 metres the bike pretty much surfed all the way to the bottom, I was just along for the ride. I was cursing at first but laughing at the bottom. The missus wasn't laughing so much at the 5lb of mud I brought back home with me. Which is a long winded way of saying a bit of local knowledge is helpful when it's like this (or not, in our case...)
as per davosaurusrex - it's pretty bad in places and fine on others.
having said that, even the 'normally fine' bits are wetter and stickier than they normally are (even in winter) so you have to choose your route.
If the wind and not-rain continue for today and tonight it'll dry out fairly quickly up top but I have seen rain warnings for this pm.
My 2p - it woudl be better for ride in muddier than ideal conditions for a few hours than not ride at all.
you might want to ride it before the 400+ do at the weekend
Went out Tuesday eve over the Chanctonbury/Cissbury side.
Surprisingly fine on the wider tracks, and the surface seems to be drying, with just a few puddles left.
Took the SS, and didn't have the immediate urge to clean it when I got back at 2300! (this is saying something - I'm a bit of a clean/shiny bike fan!)
DrP
OK, decision made, the bike's going in the car! I know you're all very proud of me 😉
Thanks all for advice,
APF
I ride on the South Downs everyday to get to work and back and I'm still on my winter bike and wearing my Sealskins!
Waterproof shorts and Sealskins packed.
Dave, I'll keep an eye out for you, I'll be on a blue 456
APF
@ avdave2 - I wish I had your commute.
you might want to ride it before the 400+ do at the weekend
+1