Cycling in Sussex

The countryside of Surrey and Sussex offers some genuinely rewarding cycling, and a pair of recent rides served as ideal preparation for a bigger challenge later this month. Two friends and I are planning a 100 mile circular route through the Surrey and Sussex countryside, a trip we have tackled before. The training and the ride itself have become an annual challenge we look forward to.

The build-up has involved a couple of trips that showcased just how good the local landscape can be, helped along by some glorious weather. We have cycled off-road to the coast and completed a circular loop around Horsham on quiet country lanes with hardly a car in sight. Despite living in the busy south east of England, it really is possible to escape it all on a bicycle.

Two routes worth trying

The rides completed over two recent weekends were:

• Horsham to Shoreham – a round trip along the Downs Link trail from Horsham to the coast. In total, 48 miles, of which roughly 75 per cent is off-road.
• A 60 mile training loop – a long circuit along country lanes in Surrey and Sussex, starting from Horsham and heading both north and south from the town.

These are excellent routes for exploring country lanes and off-road trails in Sussex. It is entirely possible to avoid busy roads and leave the crowds behind.