GREAT RIDES
Route South Downs loop Distance 45 miles Time Two hours Description A picturesque southern spin
The South Downs National Park is a great area to visit for a picturesque ride through quiet roads. This part of the world also has more than its share of great country pubs, so this could be a recce for when you're there without the bike. This route starts at Haslemere and only involves a few roads but can easily be expanded upon to take a full day should you have the time to spare. In summer it is a beautiful route and on a warm evening you are likely to encounter other bikes out for a postwork spin. When you approach Chichester you will see signs pointing towards Goodwood, and it is worth a quick detour to see if anything is happening around the estate. You never know, you may see a Spitfire landing or even a posh Rolls-Royce from the adjacent factory out on a test run. Afterwards, take the A285 to Chichester before turning north and following the A286 back up to Haslemere. If you don't fancy going into Chichester you can join the A286 via Goodwood, which is a nice cut through and doesn't detract from the loop. For a longer ride, join the excellent A272 at Midhurst and follow it east or west, as far as Winchester in one direction and the A22 in the other.