Cycling in Sussex

[laughingcow]

Hello,

I'm planning a short cycle trip this weekend from Dover to Brighton, stopping off at Hastings for the night to visit the gallery there. Does anyone know whether its best to go East to West, or West to East with regards to the winds?

Was going to take the National Cycle route 2 - is it signposted the whole way?

Thanks,

Rob

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Ha..the BIG wind question...

well I live on th ecoast and for thelast few days the westerly wind has been an absoloute pig....but then again it can change and come from the east...erm..or the north..and even the south...so...erm....but if it were me I'd ride from west to east....but then Dover is east of Brighton right and you said Dover Brighton not Bright Dover??

I dont know about Cycle route 2 but the south coast route has signposts...but tbh i would not rely on them...they seem few and far between to me...best get a map or a garmin....or follow a bus or something.

 

[laughingcow]

Thakyou - yes either Dover to Brighton or Brighton to Dover. All advice welcome!

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Richp may be your man...Rich?????
Id ride from Brighton to Dover and be ready for some nice hills and some strong winds

 

[Ticktockmy]

The prevailing wind blows from the South West, so I would ride from the Brighton to Dover. Personally I would start the Ride at Hassocks Station then use the inland roads, the coastal road (A259) can become quite manic at times and busy.

 

[rich p]

West to East is normally the way, as the others have said, but hey ho - it's only a howling hoolie! Other weather conditions may occur.
The A259 can be busy but not so bad at weekends. You can ride 'offroad' on paths from Brighton to Peacehaven and then the N2 takes you up through Littlington and around E'bourne on smaller roads. It then hugs the coast after Westham on Sluice Lane through the marshes so avoids the A259. It looks fun - I may join you
If you'd like more detailed advice on the Btn to Peacehaven section I'm happy to oblige.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I'd come along for this ride but Im flying to cyprus for a longer ride and a warmer one hopefully

 

[laughingcow]

Thankyou for all your tips! Its going to be Brighton to Dover then. I think the national cycle route follows the way you were describing:

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network/route-numbering-system/route-2

maybe see some of you along the way

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I've done Dover to Brighton on NCN2 and Hastings-Brighton several times in both directions on NCN2 and self guided. NCN2 in a few places, north of Eastbourne leaps to mind, the surface is unsurfaced and at this time of year will be sodden. For the most part it is surfaced but varies hugely in quality, from half-bricks and rubble to 'proper' tarmac. It places a premium on traffic avoidance over shortest route from A-to-B and wanders, infuriatingly, through housing estate and trading estate willy-nilly with no thought of pleasing the rider with a nice vista or an interesting view.

 

[Brains]

I've done Dover to Brighton on NCN2 and Hastings-Brighton several times in both directions on NCN2 and self guided. NCN2 in a few places, north of Eastbourne leaps to mind, the surface is unsurfaced and at this time of year will be sodden. For the most part it is surfaced but varies hugely in quality, from half-bricks and rubble to 'proper' tarmac. It places a premium on traffic avoidance over shortest route from A-to-B and wanders, infuriatingly, through housing estate and trading estate willy-nilly with no thought of pleasing the rider with a nice vista or an interesting view.

Like NCN routes, the bottom line design is it should be safe for an unaccompanied 12 year old cyclist

 

[laughingcow]

Thanks - I would rather stay on tarmac roads if possible. Do you have suggestions for an alternative route around Eastbourne?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Like NCN routes, the bottom line design is it should be safe for an unaccompanied 12 year old cyclist

If that is the criteria it fails comprehensively.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I tried to follow it for a short stretch on one of my loops...it took me to places i would never have gone...and dumped my in a swamp with some vague forlorn hope there was a bridge to cross the river...ferring...not good on a bianchi..i would just go onto bike route toaster and plan out your own route...it has maps, sattellite, and terrain views...then download the gpx file to a garmin device or print up the map. That part of the cycle route i did was clearly designed by a sadist motorist with a psychotic hatred of cyclists.

 

[rich p]

If the NCN2 takes you on the Undercliff from the Marina to Saltdean then be aware that the first section (behind Asda) is currently closed and you'll need to go through the central road of the Marina to rejoin the path.
The coast road (A259) from Seaford to Eastbourne has spectacular views of Cuckmere Haven and Beachy Head but is pretty lumpy. There's a biggish climb out of Cuckmere (where the NCN2 heads north to Littlington) and another one out of East Dean. Eminently doable if you don't mind hills. Then you can wiggle through eastbourne on the seafront road to rejoin the route. It'll be shorter, hillier but a nice route and not too busy. I do it frequently.

 

[laughingcow]

Thankyou - will do that!