I’m now a retired freelance web designer and developer in Horsham, West Sussex, UK. In my spare time, I like to get out into the Sussex countryside near Horsham on my mountain bike, sometimes via a pub or two. More recently, I’ve been cycling, with MTB or hybrid bike, on day or weekend trips in other parts of the UK (for example, Norfolk, Devon, Kent, The Ridgeway Trail and a trip to Dorset) with a few friends.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a harum-scarum, tough-ass dude who throws a mountain bike down a rocky hillside without a care in the world. I think you’ll find that I’m the Captain Slow of the cycling world (apologies to Top Gear). Well, when you get to my age, you have to know your limitations…
My cycling and mountain biking experiences are what I will be writing about here (although other subjects may get an occasional airing).
My cycling is less these days (2024) although I still cycle with friends on two weekend trips every year. I’m running a lot more and that’s where my focus is at the moment.
Clive Walker
Hi Clive,
I’m Steve and we have a few things in common! I live in Billingshurst and I’ve just got a new bike in a bid to rekindle my love of mountain biking and fitness, after….. ” a period of rest!”
I also love pubs!
Do you ever require new people to go cycling with and perhaps you could advise on where the good local trails are? If so, give me a shout
Cheers for now,
Steve
Hi Steve, I don’t know the off-road routes near Billingshurst although I’ve cycled some country lanes nearby. Otherwise, a good starting point could be the Downs Link trail which, although mostly flat (it’s an old railway line), is quite long distance (Guildford to Shoreham); you can pick it up at Slinfold or Southwater. On the Crawley side of Horsham, St Leonards Forest has a variety of tracks.
If you want to go further afield, there’s the South Downs; you can get the train to Amberley and pick up the South Downs Way, cycling towards Bramber, then back on the Downs Link. I’ve done that a few times. It’s quite a distance so probably not one to start with!
This Crawley – Horsham Ordnance Survey map covers most of the local area including Billingshurst. It’s quite a good map for devising routes by connecting bridleways.
Hope this helps.