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Folkestone to Eastbourne

Long day ahead so we try and get off at 9 prompt. We get back to the seafront and onto Route 2. A pleasant ride along the front watching out for the many dogs getting their early morning exercise.  Routes one and two both start at Dover, hence the new route to follow.

Its a strong SW breeze blowing and its not behind us! We get to Hythe for the first BCQ which seems to be an ambiguous question. How many lines leave the railway station? There are 4 platforms but 50yds away we can see the 4 lines go into 2, so how many is it? Where does the station stop? A good question which leaves us scratching our heads and gives something to mull over on the next part of the route which runs along the side of an old military canal. This is very quiet and autumn is well on the way with a good carpet of leaves on the path. 

The sun is trying to come out but never makes it. There is a kind of haze and some occasional blue skies. We have a brief stop for a snack and drink and adjust layers for the temp. It is cool but not too cold. We are still on Route 2 and heading SW towards Dungeness though we are not going through there. This area is very flat and on the map is shown as Romney Marsh and Walland Marsh. The village of Burmarsh is our next waypoint followed by St Mary in the Marsh which has a tall spire on the church. We can see the spire from miles away and to me it seems to take ages to get to it, the road taking a rather staggered route which is probably why it is called Donkey Street.(only as far as Burmarsh)

We miss New Romney but go through Old Romney to get to Lydd. As we enter the village we spot an old Ford Consul. It looks in concours condition. It is 1145 and I would welcome a stop but the feeling is to get to Rye for lunch as this is halfway. It pays off as we get a good lunch at the Quay Cafe. 

The next objective is Battle for another BCQ answer. It is 1645 and it is dark before we get to the Abbey built where the famous Battle in 1066 took place.  

The traffic is really heavy and we find a quieter road to get back down to the coast at Bexhill. There are only 4 of us now as David and Sally take the train to Eastbourne after lunch. We pick up NCN Route 2 again and scoot along a wee road next to the railway then its only 5 miles to the hostel on the far side of Eastbourne, up a long steep hill, to the top! The hostel is modern and has an open plan lounge/kitchen.

Phew, I am glad to get off the bike and have a nice shower. David and Sally have done the meal, mushrooms in stilton, shepherds pie, baked rice pudding. Mmm. We are more than ready for it. 

The days total is 70 miles.

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Eastbourne to Alfriston

Its raining and its an easy cycling day so there is no rush to get going. We have a leisurely breakfast and take our time.

Finally the rain stops and we set off at 1100. As I take my bike down the front path towards the road there is a familiar bumping sound and the whole bike is vibrating as I go down the steps - the rear tyre is flat! Doh! Off come the panniers again and spare tube found. Hands washed and 20 mins later we are off. We turn right out of the hostel and continue up the last bit of the hill. It is damp and misty so no view. The rain starts again and it is not so nice. We do Beachy Head looking for the BCQ but it is foggy/cloudy and wet. We split up and search around the cliff top with care but the BCQ is nowhere to be found, so we give up as we are getting cold. We head on to Haylsham for lunch and get a wee cafe. Arthur and Andy get the food from Tesco and we go back down the cycle way to Alfriston.

On the way we discover Route 2 cuts across our path but actually has a better run down to the coast via a woodland track. We go for it but soon find a minor obstacle. A small stream has burst its banks and we try to keep our feet dry crossing the stepping stones. It rains on and off though lighter, and we get damp feet anyway.

The hostel opens at 5 so we have 10 mins to wait.

Today its 26 miles. 

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Alfriston to Littlehampton

Wow, sun and blue sky and it feels very warm. There is no warm-up before a hill today as we continue up the hill the Hostel lives on. A brief dip down and then another long up. However it is payback time and we get a good run down to the sea, joining the cyclepath at Seaford.

The route goes into Seaford to use a bridge over the river Ouse and after a look at the map again we scoot down the riverside and get back onto the coast.

The cycle route weaves between the shoreline road and a promenade if there is one. There are 2 or 3 small harbour areas at Shoreham and we get across one of the crossing points just in time for a pilot boat to get under way. The sluice gates open and we watch the water levels equalise but then the hydraulic rams start to open the gate still with some 6 inches of level difference remaining. It is impressive to see how powerful these machines are.

 We are on a road for a bit but then a nice section of promenade along to Brighton for lunch. On the way we pass Roedene School, it looks amazing.

Yes its a banana milkshake for me!(Andy)  It is nearly hot now and more like the Mediterranean. Brighton is heaving with people enjoying the amazing weather and Trevor basks in the sun.

An hour for lunch and its back in the saddle and back following route 2. The coast is busy with everyone enjoying a day out. As we pass Brighton Pier the cycle path is only visible by white paint on the tarmac but no words or warning signs for pedestrians. Prams and kids are everywhere with most people walking forwards while looking to their left or right, oblivious to some cyclists like us, taking care not to collide, but also some cyclists determined to get through at 20mph or more, bells ringing as they go. Scary.

There are not really any more hills today as we are mainly on the promenade or close to it. As we cruise along the front we leave the crowds behind, but there are some interesting vehicles around like this....campervan ? or is it a caravan-avan?             

Food is bought at Asda then shared between is to carry the last 4 miles to the hostel. We are going to be early so we stop at Nelson Bar near the hostel for a glass of something. On the way we see some colourful beach huts near Worthing. 

It has been a very good cycle today.

Todays total is 40 miles.

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Littlehampton to Tanners Hatch

The warden, Carol, made us feel very welcome last night. The hostel is very new and everything works for a change! The cycle shed is a lockup in the back yard, next to the kitchen and back door. Once again the ubiquitous shed is used for everything else and its a squeeze to say the least to get stuff in or out. C'est la vie.

We say farewell to the coast and head north up the A road to Fittleworth taking in Arundel Castle BCQ on the way. The battlements looks very impressive as does the front gate. The surrounding buildings are the usual touristy antique shops and cafes. It is getting warmer and we continue northwards. At Fittleworth we split into two teams, 3 of us detour to the right to get a BCQ at Stopham - the old bridge which was rebuilt in 1822.  The roads are fairly quiet and the scenery is reasonably lush with plenty foliage still around.

We find the bridge which has been bypassed now but is part of an estate road. It looks very solidly built considering the small river flowing under it. Photographs taken, we set off to meet the others for lunch. Somehow lines got crossed and we were 6 miles apart when supposed to be meeting for lunch. We are all hungry so decide to eat where we are, then rendezvous at Tismans Common on the way to Cranleigh.

Just past Tismans we join the Downs Link cyclepath, route 223, but it quickly becomes a scramble up a steep woodland path, slippy as well, then a rush down the other side. We make it back onto a road then get back on the path round the corner, which takes us to Cranleigh and a Sainsburys for food.

Light was fading for the final 10 miles to the hostel. We find ourselves heading up a steepish singletrack road with passing places and heavily overgrown trees both sides. It is very dark in here, no street lights and it looks like we are on a rat-run. All the traffic is coming the other way, downhill, and not liking they have to slow down for some cyclists. I realise how feeble my front light is, it barely lights up a 2 foot spot in front of my wheel. Thankfully Arthur has a mega front light which is perfect.

We finally get up another incline and turn right onto a level road heading east to Ranmore Common. Just to our right and out of sight runs the Pilgrims Way which we met near Canterbury. This stretches some 200 miles to Glastonbury, maybe a future trip? A mile and a half, then it is turn left into the forest for 1km. We are treated to a gentle downhill freewheel to the hostel. It is steeped in character this place. Outside showers and loos, but a log fire and petrol generator for comfort. It is also Halloween which adds to the 'spookyness' of the place ! Some walkers arrive doing the South Downs Way and we have a good blether in the evening.

47 miles today and some nice scenery.