Rough Stuff rides for LFGSS folk, join regular rides that avoid tarmac

Hey there : ) no problem, I am doing it Brighton to London and heading out early, so I think all else being equal this has limited appeal!
Would be good to get another one done before the year end. Work is a bit mad currently. Saturdays work best for me because I am in London Friday evening to Sunday evening. Brighton M-F.

Shameless plug for offroad shenanigans this Saturday :-)

https://www.lfgss.com/events/7609/

Thanks. Muddy?

OK well maybe let’s try to arrange something on a Saturday soon.

Probably going to be soon enough, once the leaves have fallen, but still good conditions for now

Haven't really considered where.

The New Forest really is exceptional this time of year. Imo the best time to visit with the fallen leaves, full streams, pigs out eating the acorns etc.

+1 vote for Woods Bikes and Brews cafe in Lyndhurst, and Rosie Leas (I think?) In Brockenhurst near the Ford. Both well worth a stop.

The locals are mostly miserable, but that seems year round.

Bailed at Guildford, which is becoming the bail point d’V5k.

Brighton up to Ditchling Beacon was okay, but the SDW west was a bit torrid with the equipment at hand. Lighter, less loaded bike and no south-westerly would have been nicer. It’s very pretty tho. If I had one point to make about this as a transfer to the Downs Link is that -at some point- you’re gonna be on that Shoreham bypass because while you can SEE the bike path along the Adur, all gates offering a potential route to it are padlocked.
Downs Link was Downs Link - like a heist movie where they substitute a loop in the CCTV system, except trees and dog walkers - I don’t think I’m doing that one again.

A few downed trees too, so take yer Leatherman if doing this route.

*Steyning bypass? Whatever, an unfriendly stretch for bikes and pedestrians.

while you can SEE the bike path along the Adur, all gates offering a potential route to it are padlocked.

Downs Link was Downs Link

That's odd, done that loads of times and never seen a locked gate. Did you turn left at the A road? (There is a path behind the bush that runs parallel so you don't have to go on the road, just cross it).

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I spent waaay too long stalking that bit and didn’t see the path behind the bushes… thanks for the tip!

bit of a random one but im going to ride to Brighton again this Wednesday, but using Stayer’s ‘Brockley to Brighton’ route. If anyone fancies a midweek ride, let me know!

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Tl;dr (tl;dr) Not much rough stuff but there’s a lot to like and explore in the spring.

Does anyone fancy a bit of a wander down to Chanctonbury ring for the solstice?
The aim would be to ride down during the morning of the 21st and then just hang out at the ring for a chat and a picnic. If the weather holds, it might be fun to stay to sunset. If it's pissing down with rain, I suspect I will just stay tucked up in bed and call it off!
If you're interested, let me know and I'll sort out a route from South London (probably via the Downs Link just so we can chat). There may be a bunch of gravel riders along for the ride as well.

@vilms5000 @Skülly @ojwithbits @King_Saxlingham @BareNecessities

Brighton-based during the week, so I’d be up for this and will pencil-in the day off from work.

Sounds good! I am at a thing that evening, but might see if I can come and get back in time

Cool, I've made the spelling correction now as well.

Brighton-based during the week,

You got a route from Brighton, or just up to and along the SDW?

Aye, probably Ditchling Beacon and west, but if there’s a way to rendezvous with the down-from-Londons earlier, I’d do that.

Ok, the plan is to ride down to arrive before sunset. I'll put a route up later this week.

@vilms5000 @Skülly @King_Saxlingham

I'be bothered my knee somehow. It's been swollen for about the days now with no signs of recovering in time, so I'm going to have to cancel this ride.
It's so infuriating as the weather looks amazing.

Another time soon hopefully!

Hey, @Alex_B no problem and I hope that you heal up soon.

Yep heal up Alex. tbh I was rapidly filling up the week with non-cycling things that no doubt would have facilitated a flakeout.

I’m thinking about doing YAL’s improved version of the ‘Cantii Way’ route (https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/376348/?offset=25#comment16715017) as a 2 or 3 day thing (up for debate) in February as a kinda warm up bikepacking trip as the weather slowly improves and day light hours get better. Given that it’s mostly paved, easy to get to from London, and resupply places are pretty accessible, to me at least it seems a nice way to get jazzed for bigger and more remote adventures when spring and summer kick off. If anyone here would be keen let me know, trying to sort it out with a few friends off the forum too

Route here
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39571004

Pretty fun and relaxed sounding day ride in London organised by Fieldtrippers CC - only heard of them from seeing this ride being shared on IG. I reckon I may attend, let me know if anyone else is? An lfgss contingent; it seems like perfect gucci 26er or fat tire fixie territory.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnPE3hkM8R4/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=