Birling Gap- Our Best Ever local Off Road Ride?

Derek, Dave HH and Steve C Starting At Birling Gap

Having done a number of local off road rides in the Alfriston area this year I was determined to map out another local route that as far as possible involved different trails. The route starting from Birling gap didn't look too promising but I thought it would be a simple route for Derek who is still getting used to off road and is still riding his Saracen tank. Dave HH joined us at Birling Gap, and said he would make a few suggestions on the way to liven up the ride as he knows the area so well. We headed perpendicular to the seven sisters crossing over Cornish farm until we met the SDW leading up to Butt's brow that we know and love so well. From here we had to endure the usual filling loosening descent down to Jevington. Instead of continuing along the SDW we turned right for the Folkington byway instead. I haven't done this for a few years and remember it being very eroded but as we were going up it instead of down it, it really wasn't too bad and before too long we were out on the North facing escarpment leading up to the long man and flying down the long descent to Alfriston. Instead of sticking to the SDW we followed the old farm path that skirts along the bottom of the hills. A very steep road section which I really enjoyed, then took us back up to the top of the Downs, restoring all our lost altitude. From here Dave told us we should head due south rather than along the SDW, this bridleway looked minor on the map but turned out to be a fantastic wide hedge lined descent all the way down to Seaford where we stopped in the 'Golden Galleon' for a pint (not a good idea as we all felt woozy afterwards). Dave then took us on an enjoyable (even for me) long uphill single track taking us to the top of friston forest. Now, all that was left was the invigorating descent across the seven sisters with the sea always on the horizon. All three of us really enjoyed this route and if the weather holds hope to repeat it otherwise we will have to wait a whole year.

Derek is now a committed off roader.