Meet: 08:00 Cutty Sark Gardens, map, Southwark Needle 08:40 sharp! map

Distance: 90 miles

Phone: Ian - 07986 872 205

A circuitous and long route to Brighton.

This ride heads out to the West of London on roads to Putney, before joining national Route 4, going through Richmond Park and joining the Thames Path to Weybridge. From Weybridge we take the tow path by the side of the River Wey to Guilford. Fron Guilford its the Downs Link, 30 miles of disused railway which takes us to the South downs where we join a path by the side of the River Adur which takes us into Shoreham. From Shoreham it's a short ride on roads into Brighton.

Not suitable for racey road bikes!

This is a long ride and there are jumping off points allong the way, notably Guilford at about 50 miles. However, we'll need to ride at a reasonable pace so we won't be able to wait for slow riders.

Bring snacks, lights, innertubes and tools for your kind of bike. Pub lunch.

Train back to London - probably late.

Report

I met Ray at Cutty Sark Gardens before heading off to London Bridge where Steve and Gary joined us. I never expected big numbers to turn out for what I would describe as a marathon off-roader.

We left London Bridge just before 9:00 after waiting for a heavy downpour to abate. Putney was 10 easy on road miles and then we were held up for half an hour to mend a puncture to Steve’s recumbent. While the puncture was being repaired we were entertained by the rowing crews struggling against both the tide and strong headwind not making much forward progress.

We left the Thames Path and followed National Route 4 through Richmond Park stopping for refreshments on top of the hill in the deer park. Out of Richmond Park and back to the Thames Path at Teddington. Lock. The majority of our road miles were behind us but we made good progress through Kingston, Hampton Court and Walton-on-Thames before turning off the Thames Path and joining the River Wey tow path.

Progress along the tow path was slow – it’s narrow and bumpy and something I hadn’t come across before –in places sandy! There was a 2 mile stretch just south of Send that very difficult, tyres sank and slipped in about 3 inches of sand.  I was about to get off and walk but Ray instructed me to use a low gear and we were able to make slow progress. The general feeling was that the hot warm weather had turned the path to dust.

We entered Guilford at 13:00 – just over half way – and on the advice of locals we left the tow path to search for somewhere to eat. A heavy downpour – we sheltered under a bridge and then found a pub down the road for something to eat and drink. A well timed lunch break and we missed the worst of the rain.

Gary decided to leave us at Guilford South of Guilford it was back onto the River Wey for a couple of miles before finding the start of the Downs Link Path, 33 miles of disused railways that take us to the South Downs.

The Downs Link is very easy to follow – it consists of long straight sections of railway gradient (nothing steep) paths with varying surfaces. Where there are turns and short road sections the route is well signed and easy to follow. Progress here was quick and trouble free.

When the path reaches the South Downs turn left onto the South Downs Way for a short section and then right immediately after you cross the River Adur. The river Adur slices through the South Downs and reaches the sea at Shoreham.

We rolled into Brighton at 18:30. Ray and I both admitted to feeling tired and our contact points, hands, feet and bums were feeling the effects of bouncing up and down for 70 miles. Steve on his recumbent looked relaxed was talking up a ride back. Not for me Steve and not for Ray who was leading a Greenwich ride the following day. We enjoyed a few drinks sitting in the warm evening sun on the front before getting the train back to London.

The distance from Greenwich was 90 miles

There aren’t many photos this time. It’s usually a sign that the ride was quite demanding and that was the case here. The ones that were taken are here. Thanks for your contribution Steve.

Ian.