South Downs Expressway

South Downs Expressway

Route Information

Stats: 14 mile / 1430ft

OS Map:

Refreshments

Start point is a carpark on the South Downs Ways at Washington but you could easily start this ride on top of the South Downs way at either Kithurst or Chantry carparks and adjust the route to suit. Accesses to these are from Storrington so check out your OS Maps beforehand. Once you reach the bottom of Amberley mount and follow the route towards the river, there are superb riverside tea-rooms and two excellent pubs to enjoy a mid-ride lunch and drink.

Character

One of my favourite sections of the South Downs Way dominates this ride. Regardless of how fast you want to go, the trail just keeps you rolling almost effortlessly in either direction once you are on top. Wide open views of rolling green hills and sea surround you as the chalk rumbles underneath the rubber. The perfect cruise of a ride, for those looking to get some fresh air and enjoy a pub lunch or tea room riverside at Amberley

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Route

1. Starting at the Washington car park right on the South Downs Way (SDW), take care in crossing the A24 and follow the SDW signs west, up the steep road climb that converts into the SDW off-road trail just as you settle into your rhythm

2. Continuing the climb on the SDW, which is now a gradual trek compared to the initial yank, towards the large barn on top of Sullington and Chantry hill

3. Once past the barn continue west on the SDW and enjoy this undulating and flowing section of this chalk n flinty highway for a coupe miles. Once through the patch of trees just past Springhead Hill, take the right-hand fork that keeps you dialled into the SDW towards Amberley

4. Keep your flow as the SDW treats you to more flow before delivering you on top of Amberley Mount. Make sure you take in the views across the river Arun at the gate, before the fast, but wide open short descent off the Mount

5. Once down from the Mount bare right and continue to follow the SDW signs

6. It’ll spit you onto the B2139 at a T-junction where you are turning left and following the road past the chalk pit museum towards the train station and your potential rest stop riverside at the teas rooms or pub

7. Once refuelled, the return leg begins and rather than the tortuous climb back up Amberley Mount this ride takes you South towards North Stoke and brings you back on top via a gravel road and lastly a couple of chalky bridleways

8. Leaving the comfort of Amberley’s watering holes head south on Stoke Road and bare left once you reach North Stoke and follow the road

9. Tarmac turns to gravel and chalky bridleways as you first take the left fork followed by the 90 degree left north which is the final leg to re-join the SDW

10. It’s all about retracing your steps from here on in as you drift right/east back onto the SDW as the trails merge. Its SDW all the way back to the start point on the rolling and undulating bridleway highway