south downs cycling

may 2012 news and events:

SDNPA launches E-bike scheme
May 13th Womens Charity Ride
Diva_100_Sussex

• South Downs = chalk, wet chalk can be suprisingly slippy but its not as "heavy" to get through as clay mud or peat bog •
• If doing South Downs Way for the first time I would get a guide book - maps aren't detailed enough •
• There are not a lot of pubs food places on the South Downs Way itself you may have to drop down off the track to a vilage •
• It can be windy on the South Downs ridge, try and go with the wind - check the forecast and take jumpers •
• There are sharp flint seams in the chalk that are a puncture hazard •

All UK national parks encourage residents and vistors to use public transport whenever possible. This reduces carbon emmissions, noise, air pollution, traffic congestion and improves the environment for everyone to enjoy the peace and fresh air that are such a fundemental part of the national park experience. There are various train and bus companies covering the south downs area you an download an official South Downs Public Transport Guide here: South Downs 2010-11 Public transport Guide (pdf)

Cyclists should be aware that the train companies below operate some restrictions on carrying bikes on certain routes / periods. Its worth checking with each company for their specific arrangements. There is some information here at A-B Bike Rail but recommend double checking. It is also worth noting that train services can be disrupted by engineering work on weekends and Bank Holidays check at National Rail Enquiries. This can create problems because the replacement bus services will not carry bikes. Dont get me started on the stupidity of this!

Southern Railway Operate; Brighton Mainline between Brighton, Lewes and London Victoria, East Coastway between Ashford International, Eastbourne, Lewes, Brighton + London Victoria, West Coastway between Brighton, Chichester + Portsmouth.
South West Trains Operate services from Brighton to London and Portsmouth
South Eastern Serves Kent, South East London and East Sussex
First Greater Western Operate between Brighton and Cardiff (twice daily)www.showbus.com for Bus companies in the South East Region. Hampshire Public Transport East Sussex Bus Services West Sussex Bus Services

www.showbus.com for Bus companies in the South East Region. East Sussex Bus Services : West Sussex Bus Services

Downlander A new bus and rail ticket, gives travel across the Southern Railway network and onwards on specific services provided by Brighton and Hove Buses, Eastbourne Buses, Cuckmere Community Bus and also Rider bus services

Traveline Provides journey planning information about all public transport services –buses, coaches, trains, ferries
National Rail Enquiries For UK wide train travel info or ring 08457 48 49 50

Area = 1648 square kilometres. Population =107,929. Largest settlements: Lewes (16,000), Petersfield (13,300), Midhurst and Liss (4,900) and Petworth (4,500) Visitors: An estimated 39 million visitor days are spent in the South Downs each year (source: Tourism SE, 2003)

Land Use: Approximately 85% of the land area within the South Downs National Park is agricultural (Grade 1-5), 14% is non agricultural (eg woodland), and 1% is urban. (source: Agricultural Land Use Classification) Key habitats: Key habitats within the South Downs National Park include chalk grassland (6,617ha or 4% of the National Park area, and 76% of the resource in the region), lowland heath (1,595ha or 1% of the National Park area), and floodplain grazing marsh (2431.07ha or 1.5% of the National Park area). (source: Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre & Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre 2010) Woodland:Woodland covers 20% of the South Downs– approximately half of this is ancient woodland (17,427 hectares (ha) or 10.5% of the South Downs) (source: Local Accord between FC and SDJC, 2006)

Highest point: The highest point in South Downs National Park is Blackdown in Sussex at 280 metres. In Hampshire, the highest point in the National Park is Butser Hill at 270 metres.

Rights of Way: There is approximately 3,282 km of public rights of way within the South Downs: 1813 km of footpath; 1213km of bridleway; 53km of restricted byways; 77km of byways open to all traffic (BOATS); and 176km of road used as a public path River:There is 321km of main river within the South Downs National Park. (source: Environment Agency 2010)

Historic Environment: (source: English Heritage 2010) Number of Scheduled Monuments 600, Number of Conservation Areas 165, Number of Registered Battlefields 2 Number of Listed Buildings: grade I 150 grade II* 220 grade II 4783 Total 5153 Number of Parks and Gardens: grade I 2 grade II* 14 grade II 14 Total 30

East Sussex County Council : West Sussex County Council : Hampshire County Council : Petersfield : Visit Chichester

Visit Sussex : Haslemere : Sussex-Southdowns-Guide : Seven Sisters Country Park : Visit Lewes

Visit Eastbourne : Visit Arundel : Beachy Head Local Info : Winchester : Visit Hamshire

March 2012 - Currently in middle of big site redesign should be live in next week or two

Dec 2011 - Added: Sign the DirectGov e-petition For Increased Rural Access for Mountain Bikes and friston Forest and Arun Vally cycle leaflet pdf links and new entries for the South Downs Way section

Oct 2011 - Hopefully this site will getting a serious makeover soon, also hoping to introduce the first South Downs Weather Widget in the next few months

Sept 2011 - Added new South Downs National Park facts and figures section.

Aug 2011 - The South Downs National Park Authority have produced a new official South downs welcome leaflet you can download it here (PDF)

June 2011 - Added 2 new sections to the website which I hope people will find useful: Maps and Guides and local off road and south downs cycling way tips

June 2011 - Unfortunately there a no current plans from the SDNP or National Trails to install weather stations or web cams. They have no funding in place for the hardware or website development that would be needed. So lets do it oursleves and lets start with devils dyke - it may be possible to get some costs refunded by the time it gets set-up. I am happy to set up the website - if anyone else can help then please get in touch on: public1@southdownscycling.com

May 2011 The South Downs National Park and Authority officially launched at the beginning of April with a fair bit of national and local media coverage: more here Now they are up and running when can start bothering them with our requests

I am trying to get them to install WebCams and Wind Vanes/ Speedometers at a few spots along the South Downs Way. With the photos and wind data being fed to their website. This is very useful for walkers / bikers / paragliders to get an up-to date idea of weather conditions. It is something that some of the other national parks have in place. The obvious spots are Butser Hill and Devils Dyke (there did used to be a local BBC? webcam at Devils Dyke but it seems to have gone) Let them know what you think at: sdw@southdowns.gov.uk

March 2011 - The BrightonMTB bods have been busy establishing a Southdowns MTB user group and a new South Downs MTB Hub website they are really commited to developing quality Mountain Bike tracks and specific cycling areas / technical trails

Jan 2011 - Park authority relocating to new heaquaters in Midhurst. SDNP awarded £11.4 million for next financial year

Sept 2010 - Follow our Blog and join us on Facebook

Aug 2010 - see below for the The South Downs National Park Authority "Mission Statement"

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) is the organisation responsible for promoting the purposes of the National Park and the interests of the people who live and work within it. As a National Park, the SDNPA has statutory purposes and socio-economic responsibilities as specified in the Environment Act of 1995

1. To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area. 2. To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park by the public. Working in partnership with other Local Authorities and other organisations, it is also the duty of the Authority to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of the local communities within the National Park.For more information about Britain’s National Parks visit www.nationalparks.gov.uk

Assocation of National Park Authorities www.nationalparks.gov.uk : England's official tourism website www.enjoyengland.com
The Ramblers Association www.ramblers.org.uk : Youth Hostel Assciation YHA UK www.yha.org.uk

Follow the Blog southdownscycling.wordpress.com : Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/southdownscycling

As said at top, just trying to make a useful site. Visitors to the new park should be increasing year on year so it its a good opportunity and couldn't see any other sites that pull all this together. I will need your help to keep it up-to-date, spread the word, let me know if your links / e-mails change, & tell me what else would be good on the site.
I will also be publishing e-mails and news from the South Downs Park Authority on any cycling related matters - such as there strategies for developing cycle facilities and routes, or vistor number data etc. The commercial emphasis of this site is to promote south downs small businesses and strengthen the local economy. We are also trying to promote sustainable tourism by enabling the South Downs visitors to access all the information they need in one place which should make cycling too and in the park a simpler process. This obviously applies to residents and communities bordering the park also.

Contact Info: You can contact us at public1@southdownscycling.com

www.southdownscycling.com : Bike Resources for the South Downs National Park UK

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