I did some of it at night many, many, years ago, on my 1989 Kona Cinder Cone, It was an eventful evening/morning/weekend.
I’d had a trying few days at work, so decided to do ‘something different’. I got the last train from London Bridge to Eastbourne on the Friday night and set off. At the top of Beachy Head, I was having a snack when I got propositioned by some chap – suggesting that, instead of jumping (or whatever) I could go back to his place for a chat! I was quite weedy (8st ish) and getting a bit nervous as he wouldn’t leave me alone, so I get a wiggle on.
I had a bit of a snooze in the ‘phone box at Alfriston as I was getting tired and cold . . .
As I was coming over towards Birling Gap, I noticed a fire on the beach and lights in the water – it looked like a boat signalling. I dropped down to the valley where I was stopped by Coastguards, so I told them what I had seen, and they thanked me and asked me to keep moving.
After 30 or so miles, I decided I’d had enough, so went to Brighton for breakfast and a swim, then the train back to London.
The next day, the news was full of the murder if Ian Gow (Tory party Chairman), and that the police were looking for a cyclist who had been seen in the area during the hours of darkness – oddly the only person who I had told where I was going was a Met officer I knew. For her sake (since she would have to report me) I called the police for the scariest conversation of my life (this was before the release of the Birmingham 6). Luckily, I was wearing distinctive clothing, as, despite me being Irish, they didn’t take it further.
Hope it’s less exciting for you. I did enjoy the riding.