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Guided downland cycle
ride
If you are interesting in getting involved in mountain biking
on the Downs a good way to start is by going on one of the
rides which are arranged by the East Sussex County Council.
This weekend’s affair, led by Graham Dawkins, is a ride
to Ditchling Beacon and back, classed as difficulty grade
2, out of 4. “Because of the warm weather, the pace
will be fairly easy,” says Dawkins, “we won’t
be haring round like they do in the Tour de France.”
Cyclists are invited to meet at Lewes Station, and they will
go through the backstreets of Lewes and up to the Prison,
where the ride will go off-road. “We’ll then ride
up to Black Cap and beyond, down a metal track to West Merthan,
along the bridleway to Streate and on past Plumpton Racecourse
to the Sportsman pub, where we stop for refreshment.”
The ride then goes over the Downs again and back to Lewes.
The whole process will take approximately five hours.
Cyclists are advised to wear something bright and a helmet,
and to carry lots of water. “People come on all sorts
of mountain-bikes, from top grade ones to ones that look like
they’ve found them in the tip.” Some sort of suspension
is advised in the front. You should be ‘reasonably fit’
but even Dawkins admits walking up certain hills, and makes
sure that at every junction everybody has caught up with the
front-runner. Oh, and it’s completely free. AL
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