I had been looking forward to getting onto the Downs for almost two months. At last everything looked good, all the weather forecasts said there would be no significant rain until the early afternoon. As we were arriving at Firle just after 8:00 we thought we would be OK but having started to get our bikes out it stared to rain. "It must be a passing shower we thought". Unfortunately this proved to be more than just a light shower , as it proceeded to rain heavily for the next half hour. Knowing how dangerous the chalky descents are on the Downs we decided to give up and drive to Chile farm for a(not well deserved) bacon sarnie and coffee. By this time the sun was coming out , Derek and Duncan had a brainwave- go to Bedgebury and do the technical trail as this is rideable even when muddy! Ivan decided to call it a day but the rest of us drove to bedgebury and parked on the lay by on the main road to avoid the £8 parking fee. This sort of technical riding is not my cup of tea but I was desperate for some exercise and felt more confident ont he 29er. Duncan and Derek were correct, the route was totally rideable but we did get well plastered in mud and came off gently a few times when we couldn't unclip fast enough (this was a particular problem for me as I have to ride with old look delta cleats!) A lot of effort has gone into this trail and there are distinct areas with different types of riding, each area having an amusing name such as 'gloomy woods or fibre glass trees'
This was another good test for the 29er hard tail and although it did perform well, i did feel a little more give in the rear would have been beneficial, i.e I would still choose a 26 full suss over a 29er hard tail.
S.C
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