Route through Sussex

"Stevie D" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I'm planning a cycle from Selsdon (Croydon) to Goring (Worthing) for the bank holiday weekend with
my dad and two cousins - at a total of 53 miles, it's quite an epic ride for most of us! And
there's a couple of bits where I'm not sure about what route to take, so if anyone has any ideas
or hints, I'd be grateful!

(1) Crawley. Arriving from Worth Way, and leaving on NCN20 through Tilgate Forest. My map marks a
cycle route diving round lots of paths and side streets through Maidenbower - is this (a) well
signposted, and (b) quicker than sticking to the main roads for a mile or so?

(2) Henfield. What's the A2037 like between Henfield and Upper Beeding? Is it worth taking the
Downs Link path instead, and if so, is it a good surface?

(3) Shoreham Airport. My map marks a path following the old railway line beside the A283 from the
cement works til just past the A27. Is this cycleable?

TIA for helpful advice!

Dunno about the southern stretch, but I often go down to Horsham via Croydon (start in Bromley )

I don't like any of the rides around crawley so I go, through Reigate then Leigh, newdigate, rusper
finally Horsham. Its a fantastic route with very few cars.

Stevie D said:

(2) Henfield. What's the A2037 like between Henfield and Upper Beeding? Is it worth taking the
Downs Link path instead, and if so, is it a good surface?

I don't know much about the Downs Link path. AFAIA, the DL path is a disused railway line (so flat)
and is, AFAIK, reasonably well surfaced for that sort of thing. There was an article in MBR magazine
a couple of years ago that used the DL path as part of a ride. From what I read and saw in the
photographs the path is fine and fast as long as it's been dry. The A2037 is OK, the only real
problem being the occasional mad motorcyclist - their noise is worse than their overtaking.

Quoted message said:

(3) Shoreham Airport. My map marks a path following the old railway line beside the A283 from the
cement works til just past the A27. Is this cycleable?

I haven't used it myself but have seen others riding along the path on MTBs. If I were you I'd take
the A283 all the way (under the A27) to Shoreham and the coastal road (A259). The A283 between the
cement factory and the A27 is mainly a gentle downhill, which is nice. (I usually end up riding it
in the not-so-gentle uphill direction.) Whether you take the disused railway or the road do keep
going until you reach the A259 and don't try to use the A27. This elevated section of the A27 is
truly on major A road I would not like to cycle on; it's far too dangerous. BTW, Shorham to Goring
takes between ten and 20 minutes dependig on the direction and strength of the wind.

Perhaps, Satvie, you might consider getting yourself a bit further West, towards the A24. The
Southern end of the A24 is only two or three miles form Goring; I've already mentioned the Shorham
to Goring time. Also, the A259, being near to the coast, can be windy at times - you'll probably be
riding into the wind if heading West.

Let me know ... blah, blah, blah James

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Steve. Sorry for the top posting but I live in Brighton & train on these roads. He is my £0.02 worth

"Stevie D" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm planning a cycle from Selsdon (Croydon) to Goring (Worthing) for the bank holiday weekend with
my dad and two cousins - at a total of 53 miles, it's quite an epic ride for most of us! And
there's a couple of bits where I'm not sure about what route to take, so if anyone has any ideas
or hints, I'd be grateful! <Snip>

Quoted message said:

(2) Henfield. What's the A2037 like between Henfield and Upper Beeding? Is it worth taking the
Downs Link path instead, and if so, is it a good surface?

The A2037 is not a very busy road and the surface is good. I would be quite happy using this. I dont
use the path so cant speak for that. However bear in mind that there are lots of lovely B roads in
this area. I would probably go through Cowfold (Good tea shop on the west by the two mini
roundabouts) and cut through the B2116 to Partridge Green & down the B2135 to Steyning. Then you can
use the B road to the west of the Adur. Sorry cant see the number but its called Coombes Road /
Annington Road. This will get you to some traffic lights on the A27 opposite the airport.

Quoted message said:

(3) Shoreham Airport. My map marks a path following the old railway line beside the A283 from the
cement works til just past the A27. Is this cycleable?

If you come down Coombes lane & cross at the lights you can cycle round the airport perimiter road
or cross the toll bridge & take the cycle path to Shoreham. Unfortunately the A259 from there to
Worthing is pretty damn busy.

Quoted message said:

TIA for helpful advice!

--
Stevie D

Hope this is useful.

Stan Cox

Hi Stevie, Can't help with Crawley I'm afraid

Quoted message said:

(2) Henfield. What's the A2037 like between Henfield and Upper Beeding?

Fine, not too busy outside rush hour, but you do get the odd speed merchant.

Quoted message said:

Is it worth taking the Downs Link path instead, and if so, is it a good surface?

Although most of the Downs link follows the route of the Old Shoreham - Guildford railway line, it
leaves this about half way from Henfield to Bramber. There is a short, rather stoney stretch of
unmade road past Wyckham Farm that I would be wary of tackling on a road bike, but on an mtb/hybrid
you should be fine.

Quoted message said:

(3) Shoreham Airport. My map marks a path following the old railway line beside the A283 from the
cement works til just past the A27. Is this cycleable?

The Coastal Link Path, very popular wth local cyclists, I use this in preference to the A283 every
time, but it can get muddy in places if its been wet.

regards, Will.

Stevie D said:

(2) Henfield. What's the A2037 like between Henfield and Upper Beeding? Is it worth taking the
Downs Link path instead, and if so, is it a good surface?

My experience of downs link is fine for mtb, mostly ok for cautious slow tourer, and I wouldn't take
a road bike on it. Most of it is old railway line, but there are bits that look like they aren't and
some of them are not great.

Having said I wouldn't take a road bike on it, I've been down moderate bits of it on the trice,
which was entertaining in places but generally passable when it's been dry.

regards, Ian SMith
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Stevie D said:

I'm planning a cycle from Selsdon (Croydon) to Goring (Worthing) for the bank holiday weekend with
my dad and two cousins - at a total of 53 miles, it's quite an epic ride for most of us! And
there's a couple of bits where I'm not sure about what route to take, so if anyone has any ideas or
hints, I'd be grateful!

(1) Crawley. Arriving from Worth Way, and leaving on NCN20 through Tilgate Forest. My map marks a
cycle route diving round lots of paths and side streets through Maidenbower - is this (a) well
signposted, and (b) quicker than sticking to the main roads for a mile or so?

Not a good choice to go through Maidenbower, especially as you're heading southwest(ish) aftter
wards. Looking at the Sustrans route on their website, it's not Very Good. Add to that the fact that
the track through Tilgate is a bit bumpy and essentially an off road thing you might be better off
trying another plan. (I have ridden my Audax bike through the forest however)

Come in on NCN 20/21 past Gatwick. Follow the Three Bridges signs through the Industrial Estate
(should have NCN 20 on them as well). See where it bends sharp left in Furnace Green? Go straight on
instead, and get onto Tilgate Drive - this goes through Tilgate and past schools and then down to
the A23. Take the underpass under the A23 into Broadfield and yellow roads upto the A264. Here comes
the stupid part. Go left on the A264 towards the big roundabout. Pick up the signs for the Crawley
Brighton cycle way and cross the A264 on foot then UP A FLIGHT OF STEPS. Follow this road to the
Black Swan pub then right towards Colgate. You are now on Nice Quiet Roads (TM) Take a left about
1km on down Grouse Road. This brings you out near Mannings Heath. The rest is up to you....

(You can also ride straight up the A23 to the Pease Pottage roundabout then follow signs for Pease
Pottage and Services to take you past the Black Swan withouty going up the steps).

Tim
--
In space no one can eat ice cream

Frank X said:

I don't like any of the rides around crawley so I go, through Reigate then Leigh, newdigate,
rusper finally Horsham. Its a fantastic route with very few cars.

The problem with that is that it would mean crossing the South Downs at Washington, which is a
bluddy big hill for us wimpish types, especially after that distance! Whereas joining the coast at
Shoreham is nice and flat :-)

--
Stevie D \\\\\ ///// Bringing dating agencies to the \\\\\\\__X__///////
common hedgehog since 2001 - "HedgeHugs" ___\\\\\\\'/
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Stan Cox said:

The A2037 is not a very busy road and the surface is good. I would be quite happy using this. I
dont use the path so cant speak for that. However bear in mind that there are lots of lovely B
roads in this area. I would probably go through Cowfold (Good tea shop on the west by the two mini
roundabouts) and cut through the B2116 to Partridge Green & down the B2135 to Steyning. Then you
can use the B road to the west of the Adur. Sorry cant see the number but its called Coombes Road
/ Annington Road. This will get you to some traffic lights on the A27 opposite the airport.

Most likely route down is the lane through Warninglid and Wineham, then across to Henfield that way.
I did think about Cowfold, but I know that road can be quite busy and fast

The "B" road west of the Adur is an unclassified lane - I'm not surprised you couldn't see the
number :-) If the junction with there and the A27 has traffic lights, I'll certainly consider that,
thanks! The last thing I wanted to do was to turn right onto the dual- carriageway at a normal
T-junction.

--
Stevie D \\\\\ ///// Bringing dating agencies to the \\\\\\\__X__///////
common hedgehog since 2001 - "HedgeHugs" ___\\\\\\\'/
\'///////_____________________________________________

James Hodson said:

Perhaps, Satvie, you might consider getting yourself a bit further West, towards the A24. The
Southern end of the A24 is only two or three miles form Goring; I've already mentioned the Shorham
to Goring time. Also, the A259, being near to the coast, can be windy at times - you'll probably
be riding into the wind if heading West.

The plan was to take the A283 or path to the church at Old Shoreham, then turn right onto a
bridleway that cuts across the north side of the airport, along the A27 for a mile or so, then
backroads through Lancing, Broadwater and West Tarring.

My Dad has vetoed the A259 outright; when he did the ride a few years ago, he said the wind was
so strong along the front that he was nearly going backwards. And there usually is a strong wind
down there!

And no way will I have enough energy at that stage of the ride to climb the A24 past Chanctonbury
Ring. And it's a bloody busy road and would be no fun at all to cycle on.

--
Stevie D \\\\\ ///// Bringing dating agencies to the \\\\\\\__X__///////
common hedgehog since 2001 - "HedgeHugs" ___\\\\\\\'/
\'///////_____________________________________________

Stevie D said:

The plan was to take the A283 or path to the church at Old Shoreham, then turn right onto a
bridleway that cuts across the north side of the airport, along the A27 for a mile or so, then
backroads through Lancing, Broadwater and West Tarring.

Sound OK.

Quoted message said:

My Dad has vetoed the A259 outright; when he did the ride a few years ago, he said the wind was
so strong along the front that he was nearly going backwards. And there usually is a strong wind
down there!

I've ridden on sections of the A259 every day for the last fortnight. The wind has varied from 0mph
to not particularly strong and from an easterly to a westerly with a bit of northerly and southerly
thrown in for good measure. No days have been unpleasant.

Quoted message said:

And no way will I have enough energy at that stage of the ride to climb the A24 past Chanctonbury
Ring. And it's a bloody busy road and would be no fun at all to cycle on.

Fair point. The A24 from the Steyning/Storrington roundabout (A24/A283 roundabout) into Worthng via
Findon is OK, IMO. I'm not as sure about the A24 north of the rounabout.

James

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"Stevie D" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Stan Cox wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Most likely route down is the lane through Warninglid and Wineham, then across to Henfield that
way. I did think about Cowfold, but I know that road can be quite busy and fast

Ah! If I were coming down through Wineham I would go down Blackstone Lane through Blackstone and
then cross the main road & go through Woodmancote on Horn Lane coming out onto the A2037 by the
Countryside centre.

Quoted message said:

The "B" road west of the Adur is an unclassified lane - I'm not surprised you couldn't see the
number :-) If the junction with there and the A27 has traffic lights, I'll certainly consider
that, thanks! The last thing I wanted to do was to turn right onto the dual- carriageway at a
normal T-junction.

--
Stevie D

The lane might be unclassified but its as good as many a B road. It is a little up & down but no
long climbs or descents. The junction definately has traffic lights. It would be impossible to cross
the A27 without them. The lights give ample time to cycle across & get off the A27 before they
change. HTH

Stan Cox