This ride goes from Devils Dyke to Ditchling Beacon, approximately a 4-5 mile route, with lots of uphills.
It starts off from the Dyke, although I did ride from my house which is an additional 3 miles away, and gets straight in to the thick of things by descending the Devils Dyke valley.
It then winds its' way round various trails and finds the South Downs Way again, going past Pyecombe golf course and up to the Beacon.
1. This is on the way up to Devils Dyke - take a look here (Devils Dyke Trail ride gallery); instead of going straight ahead to where the car is, go diagonally right (northwest) across the field.
|
2. At the top of the field, turn right and follow the path up until you get to this gate.
|
3. This is the view down the Dyke valley; the view is from about 100 yards to the left and down slightly from the gate.
|
4. The things I do for this site.. yes, I stopped halfway down the valley just to take this photo for this site.
|
5. Go through the gate to the right at the bottom, and follow the trail through the trees.
|
6. Continue up the rutted path..
|
7. This is where the trail comes out on to the road. This is Pyecombe.
|
8. Go right at the bottom of the path, and follow this driveway up..
|
9. ..until you get to this turning on the left.
|
10. Follow the trail all the way up. I did take some photos looking acros sthe valley that I'd just descended from this point, but it was looking in to the sun so they weren't great.
|
11. When the path forks, take the right fork. This looks like it goes downhill, but it doesn't for long.
|
12. When the path comes out on to the road, head for where the cars are parked here.
|
13. Go along the little road till you get to this gate which is on your left.
|
14. Go up the little hill, turning right at the top.
|
15. Follow the road alongside the houses until you get to the gates. Go through the one on your right, and follow the trail up through the trees.
|
16. At the top, you get to a large hill.
|
17. You can follow the path to the top, turn right, and then follow the path. I prefer to head diagonally left across the field. You want the top left hand (Nort East) corner.
|
18. This is a bit further up the hill; you can see the bushes that line the top of the path from here. Follow this line of bushes right to the very end of the field, as far as you can go.
|
19. At the end, go through the gap in the bushes (there's holly bushes here, so be careful; then turn right and go through this gate.
|
20. This is the view West; it shows the A23 which heads towards Brighton town centre, and also the Downs beyond.
|
21. Follow the hill down. About halfway down, it forks off to the right.. make sure you take this fork. At the bottom go through two gates very close to each other, and follow the small path out on to another path which runs parallel to the A23 (but quite a way above it at this point - hence the bridge).
|
22. Cross the bridge and turn right, following the road along until the turning on your left. Follow this round, and turn left when you get to this sign..
|
23. Head straight up the tarmac, following the road to the top and then down to the bottom of the hill, coming out here..
|
24. Turn left and go up the path between the trees, coming out at the first turning on the right, which is opposite the entrance to Pyecombe Golf club.
|
25. Cross over the road, and start up the path past the golf course.
|
26. Follow the trail..
|
27. ..when you see this gate (look carefully!), you need to turn left, go slightly downhill and then slightly uphill, past the stables. Turn right at the top of the hill and follow the path again.
|
28. The route goes from a 2-3 metre wide path between two fences to wide open fields, but the trail remains obvious.
|
29. Getting closer to the Beacon now.. if you look very carefully, you'll see two lazy downhill riders pushing their bikes up the hill.. give me XC any day..
|
30. The view from Ditchling Beacon. I treated myself to an ice cream here, and then followed the Beacon road back to Brighton.. due to leaving quite late in the day, it was too late to go back over the Downs, especially given the ascent up Devils Dyke! If ridden in reverse, this ride could be appended to the Lewes to Brighton stretch of the Brighton --> Lewes --> Brighton ride.
|