#downslink

London is a city that blossoms in autumn.  Hammersmith bridge on a misty morning, rowers taking advantage of a cold, clear day.  Richmond Park, orange, the light low and photogenic.  Others have noticed and are here early, SLR’s in hand.

The Thames path takes me past Hampton Court Palace.  I peak through the cracks in the ancient doors.  The moat is mown to perfection.

Walton-on-Thames and onto the Wey.

After a boggy slog through the birch wooded, sandy earthed heathlands of Wisley Common.  The trail explodes into the ruins of Wisley Airfield.  Concrete, painted markings and Buddliea in the cracks.  A great place for some unofficial bike racing I think.

From the trail is destined for the Surrey Hills and across the North Downs Way.  The gruelling climb is inevitable now and when it comes near East Clandon I couldn’t be happier.  I’ve had a quiet week and I’m ready for some riding.  The trail is a root laden bridleway, technical but not so lose as to destroy all rhythm. I meet a young horse at the peak which results in an uncomfortable pass and less than friendly exchange with the rider.

Down into Shere and through the hills where I join the Downs Link Path which connects the North Downs Way to the South Downs Way.  From here a fast, fun, gravel descent into Cranleigh where you join a disused railway.

The railway was closed in the late 60′s as part of the controversial programme of rail closures across the country recommended by Lord Beecham to encourage car ownership and road building.  Short sighted now that, 50 years later, its clear that reliance on motor vehicles is an issue that a society needs to address.

The link path is flat, wide, well made and fast.  I’m spending the night at my parents which is on the path and it’s exciting to be riding a trail that I know from my oldest memories.

The next morning I’m back on the trail by 9am after a no holds barred fried breakfast and the light is stunning.  This section of the trail is has a full tunnel of tree canopy to filter light through.

A stop in Stan’s Bike Cafe just outside Partridge Green is all I need to make to Upper Beeding before lunch.  The climb from here to join the South Downs Way is one of the hardest climbs I’ve ever done.  Loose, steep, quite long and no verges to offer respite.

I love the South Downs Way and I’m always impressed by the way the access to the land and the working of the land are cheek and jowl but never a problem. A herd of cows pass me on the track while I fix a puncture; they seem a bit put out at my presence and switch to single file rather than double for a few metres around me.  Just after this I notice that the oak of the top bar on each kissing gate is work smooth by use, in one instance whilst being held open for me by a famous politician who I shout some support for.  I wonder if you should do that on a Sunday afternoon.

I’m early and the spin into Brighton from here is a short one so despite the raging head wind I decide to push on to Eastbourne along the SDW.  A decision I will question in the not too distant future.

After a detour through Lewes I arrive, having endured another hard climb back onto the trail, in Alfriston.  I stop for lunch bought from the heritage post office and I sit on the heritage town square bench, next door to the antiques shop.

A quick sighting of the Alfriston white horse makes me smile.  Cuckmere Haven in the white, flat light is a special moment as I emerge from a stepped climb through the woods at West Dean.

I’m excited now about the final leg.  I have cheekily decided to ignore all warnings and ride the coastal footpath along Beachy Head.  I’m not disappointed but I am broken, this isn’t a ridable path, it’s barely walkable at this stage.  The tourists seem amused by my efforts though, I’m sure a couple of the lads were placing bets on a particularly troublesome climb.