Ross McCracken, Proper Cycle Ride around Hurstpierpoint
This month’s ride is suitable for intermediate riders and takes the riders 38 miles through some stunning country lanes and villages to Handcross. Our cycling correspondent Ross McCracken says not to ride it in the pouring rain….. or on a Wednesday….. Trust him!
Once again the route starts at Proper Cycling & Coffee in Hassocks and heads out under the railway bridge and straight over the crossroads towards Hurstpierpoint.
Just after the Hurstpierpoint ‘welcome’ sign take a right turn into College Lane. Continue until you reach Hurstpierpoint College and turn left (mind the enormous pothole!). Take the next right, being careful on the bend, into Danworth Lane.
Danworth Lane is a lovely, quiet lane but avoid it in bad weather. The rain brings a lot of debris on to the road, the centre of which is green and slippery with moss in places.
Just over a mile on Danworth Lane (it does turn into High Hatch Lane but just keep on going) continue over Cuckfield Road by The Sportsman pub into Bishopstone Lane. The lane is marked as a dead end but fear not! It is open for cyclists and pedestrians.
Continue on until you reach the main road. Go straight over the main road and fork right continuing on Bishopstone Lane.
See page 34 of February's Hurst Life magazine for the full description of the ride.
You can simply view the route here. A rough picture of where is goes is shown below too.