The first ride of the new year takes you out from Patcham on the Sussex Border Path, over stretches of open Downland to Ditchling via the Chattri war memorial. It’s the perfect ride for a clear winter’s day, giving you fine views of the Sussex Weald and the rolling countryside down to the sea.

1. Set off from the Rotunda café at Preston Park – an excellent place for a coffee and cake to set you up for the trip. Head across the park and exit at the top right-hand corner by the cycle track, going directly across Preston Drove and on to Surrenden Road. Follow Surrenden Road up past Varndean College; carry straight on as the road takes you downhill to a T-junction with Ladies’ Mile Road.

2. Turn left, then as the road veers off to the left take a right turn and head along Vale Avenue. When you reach the small green with the clock tower in the middle of Patcham, head left and follow the road along towards Patcham United football ground.

3. When you see the football ground in front of you, leave the road and take a narrow footpath up to the right of the park. Keep right, and follow the path up as it eventually makes a left turn and takes you over the A27. You then turn left onto tarmac again.

4. You will see a narrow road going off to the right, and a gate with a small sign pointing to the Chattri War Memorial. Go through the gate and head diagonally across the field.You will see the war memorial about a mile ahead.

5. The Chattri memorial was built at the cremation site of the Sikh and Hindu soldiers who fought in the First World War and died at the Royal Pavilion hospital. It is a moving place, with fine views. When you are ready to continue, head through the gate just up the hill from the site and keep heading north across open fields until you reach the South Downs Way.

6. You will see another memorial, this time a wooden signpost, in front of you; head past it to the left and down the side of the Downs, where you will find a natural BMX stunt track. Get some air while the cows watch you, then head down to the road.

7. Turn right along Underhill Lane to the junction with the Beacon Road, which you may recognise from Raymond Briggs’ book The Snowman.

8. At this point you may wish to turn left and head into Ditchling for a coffee and cake at Chesterton’s, or to grit your teeth and head straight up the Beacon. It’s not too bad a climb, as long as you pace yourself.

On the final straight stretch to the summit look out for the word “PANTANI” written on the tarmac in yellow paint. It was painted there in 1994 when the Tour de France came up the Beacon on its way to Brighton, and refers to Marco Pantani, winner of the Tour in 1998. He later suffered from depression and committed suicide, so this word is also, in a way, another memorial.

9. At the top of the Beacon, carry straight on until you see a sign pointing left to “Upper Lodges”. Turn left, go across the car park, between two houses, then turn right through a green gate and head through the woods to Stanmer Park. There’s a tea room in Stanmer village if you need more tea and cakes.

10. From Stanmer village, head down through the park until you reach the main road, then turn right and take the cycle path back into Brighton, finishing at The Level.

  • Surface: Tarmac, boggy fields, chalky paths.
  • Distance/time: 12 miles/three hours at a gentle pace.
  • Thirsty work: The Rotunda in Preston Park, Chesterton’s in Ditchling, the Stanmer Park tea rooms.
  • Your bike: Mountain bikes only.
  • So you don't get lost: OS ref 122.

For a larger version of the map, see 'related links' above.