Bank Holiday, where to go? - the seaside, of course. So eight of us set off from the Drome, led by long distance expert, Billy Weir. A familar route to Pease Pottage where Alex Fraser joined us. After Handcross we broached unfamiliar territory. First the new cycle path alongside the A23, then a series of small lanes - beware! gravel and potholes - crossing roads known from other routes, until we reached the foot of Ditchling Beacon.
At this point, four riders turned off to Ditchling village to sample the deights of Dolly's tea shop before heading home. The rest off us continued along the foot of the South Downs until we hit the A275 into Lewes and then through Rodmell to Newhaven where the road bridge was closed to allow a yacht to motor up the river Ouse. Of the many times I have cycled to the Newhaven ferry, this is the first time I have seen the bridge rotated.
An excellent cycle path (NCN2) took us to Seaford sea front where, in true Bank holiday seaside tradition, we sat in a cold breeze admiring (?) the bleak looking sea and eating indifferent refreshment puchsed from the kiosk there. rminding me a many a summer holiday in my childhood.
We returned via Alfriston (no stop for cream tea) and then through a variety of lanes to Uckfield, Fletching, Ardingly, Turners Hill and home. A great route and a superb ride.
Michael Ormerod