Newbie in Sussex looking for beginner cycle rides

[Cyclelady]

Hi there

Not cycling right now due to torn calf muscle but cycling 250 miles over 5 days in Cambodia end of November on a charity cycle ride. Looking for ideas on cycle rides starting in/near Crawley to hopefully carry on training once leg mended. Up to 30 miles per ride so far so something 30 to 40 miles but not too many steep hills would be good. Any suggestions welcome please.

Cyclelady

 

[GM]

Hi and that Cambodia ride sounds good, well done! Hope you raised lots of money.

 

[ianrauk]

Horsham & Crawley CTC do easy going rides. Here

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Horsham & Crawley CTC do easy going rides. Here

and spend more time in the pub than riding their bikes.....

 

[Cyclelady]

Horsham & Crawley CTC do easy going rides. Here

Thanks for this - will check it out once I am roadworthy again

 

[Cyclelady]

Hi and that Cambodia ride sounds good, well done! Hope you raised lots of money.

Thanks - have raised more than £3k which is great - just need the injury to heal QUICKLY so I can get back training ready for the trip!

Cyclelady

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Hi there

Not cycling right now due to torn calf muscle but cycling 250 miles over 5 days in Cambodia end of November on a charity cycle ride. Looking for ideas on cycle rides starting in/near Crawley to hopefully carry on training once leg mended. Up to 30 miles per ride so far so something 30 to 40 miles but not too many steep hills would be good. Any suggestions welcome please.

Cyclelady

avoiding hills is a problem in our neck of the woods. It is those darned forest ridges and the north downs getting in the way.

Low(er) traffic and off road options include
Worth Way... aka NCN 21
The NCN 20 route to Brighton, just have some tea on the seafront and ride back 40 odd miles

What is your tolerance for traffic and fast moving cars?

 

[Cyclelady]

avoiding hills is a problem in our neck of the woods. It is those darned forest ridges and the north downs getting in the way.

Low(er) traffic and off road options include
Worth Way... aka NCN 21
The NCN 20 route to Brighton, just have some tea on the seafront and ride back 40 odd miles

What is your tolerance for traffic and fast moving cars?

Thanks - does NCN 20 involve the dreaded Ditchling Beacon? I'll need to look it up when I am ready to get back out. Don't mind traffic as long as it is not 2 inches from my back wheel!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Thanks - does NCN 20 involve the dreaded Ditchling Beacon? I'll need to look it up when I am ready to get back out. Don't mind traffic as long as it is not 2 inches from my back wheel!

No, you cross the downs, on a purpose built cycletrack separate from the road, at Pyecombe. The Beacon really isn't all that btw, just get in your lowest gear and twiddle. Underhill Lane though, the road that runs along the foot of the Downs, is a delight.

If you can bear a bit of traffic while you escape Crawley's clutches, there are lots of lovely lanes south, south east and south west of Crawley where you won't see a car for ages.

Also quite lovely is a run from Crawley, out through Ifield to Rusper, Rusper to Newdigate, Newdigate to Dorking. From there you can

a) ride up Box Hill (there's a rule that says you have to!)
b) take on the Surrey Hills which are glorious if a bit heart lung and leg busting
c) turn around and ride back.

Get well soon.

 

[buddha]

Looking on an OS map - you could go NE from Crawley in the direction of Lingfield, Edenbridge, Hever Castle and back. Pretty flat all the way and lots of country lanes with little traffic.