After the seemingly endless spring sunshine we've been having down here lately, I planned to ride the 20 miles or so across the south downs way to Eastbourne last Wednesday, I start out towards Lewes and all is well. I get to the turning onto route 89 and it takes me about half an hour to actually find it (not seeing the 'south downs way' post didn't help). I start to climb and it gets mistier and mistier.
First challenge - a variably steep, loose, chalky descent that becomes a road into Kingston. I survive. Then on the road to Southease, simple enough, although it entails a 50mph country road, but again I survive. Through Southease and over the railway I climb again. It's much mistier than before. I follow the trodden track for an age and pass a road that (presumably) led off the hills, at this point I've no idea where I am - somewhere between Lewes and Eastbourne - and I think 'if this gets any worse, I'll take the next road off the Downs'. Riding in 100m visibility, with strong crosswinds on a dirt track is not the most fun I've had, but I ploughed on, all part of the experience I thought. Five minutes later it starts to rain, then progressively harder, and harder, and harder, and all the while sidewards! (thanks to the crosswinds)
Finally I come across a road going down and I don't hesitate to see where it goes. I get to the bottom of the descent and my chain slips off. Not something I want to be dealing with in the rain, but I have to. I carry on to eventually get to the A27. Again not something I want to be dealing with - the last thing drivers are going to be looking out for in this weather is a cyclist. There is a pavement for a while but not for long. Helpfully it stops at a blind bend with a pedestrian refuge, and I have no choice to use it as a road through a village opposite goes nowhere.
Although here I was pleasantly suprized. The overtakes were mainly acceptable, a couple of big open load-type lorries with the occasional fright, and more than a few very good ones including a couple of Sainsburys home deliveries in quick succession.
All in all, not enough to put me off any aspect of my ride, but enough to make me consider the weather a bit more before venturing out on anything like it again! I imagine it could be a lovely ride with the right conditions!
N.B. whenever I say 'climb' in the above post, presume it means on foot, pushing the bike. I'm not fit enough for it offroad yet!
First challenge - a variably steep, loose, chalky descent that becomes a road into Kingston. I survive. Then on the road to Southease, simple enough, although it entails a 50mph country road, but again I survive. Through Southease and over the railway I climb again. It's much mistier than before. I follow the trodden track for an age and pass a road that (presumably) led off the hills, at this point I've no idea where I am - somewhere between Lewes and Eastbourne - and I think 'if this gets any worse, I'll take the next road off the Downs'. Riding in 100m visibility, with strong crosswinds on a dirt track is not the most fun I've had, but I ploughed on, all part of the experience I thought. Five minutes later it starts to rain, then progressively harder, and harder, and harder, and all the while sidewards! (thanks to the crosswinds)
Finally I come across a road going down and I don't hesitate to see where it goes. I get to the bottom of the descent and my chain slips off. Not something I want to be dealing with in the rain, but I have to. I carry on to eventually get to the A27. Again not something I want to be dealing with - the last thing drivers are going to be looking out for in this weather is a cyclist. There is a pavement for a while but not for long. Helpfully it stops at a blind bend with a pedestrian refuge, and I have no choice to use it as a road through a village opposite goes nowhere.
Although here I was pleasantly suprized. The overtakes were mainly acceptable, a couple of big open load-type lorries with the occasional fright, and more than a few very good ones including a couple of Sainsburys home deliveries in quick succession.
All in all, not enough to put me off any aspect of my ride, but enough to make me consider the weather a bit more before venturing out on anything like it again! I imagine it could be a lovely ride with the right conditions!
N.B. whenever I say 'climb' in the above post, presume it means on foot, pushing the bike. I'm not fit enough for it offroad yet!
I'd assumed that you turned back towards Brighton on the A27. I hope it was worth it when you finally got there. Did you get the train home?
and yes, train home.
