Adur Valley Loop — April Ride

How It Went

Fourteen of us turned up to Shoreham station just after nine on a morning that had threatened rain all week and then didn't deliver. Warm, still, the sort of early April day that makes you feel vindicated for buying a bike.

The route climbed gently along the river to Bramber and up the exposed ridge east of Steyning — where the wind did eventually make an appearance — then descended through Henfield and took the long flat return via the Downs Link railway path.

The Bikes

The Adur valley loop is flat enough at the start and end that cargo bikes and small-wheelers are viable. We had both. Notable attendees:

• A fully loaded Riese & Müller cargo bike piloted, impressively, up the Steyning ridge
• A 1970s Raleigh Tourist that appeared to have no gears and whose rider appeared unbothered
• A beautiful Ti hardtail in the group that got a lot of admiring looks but no explanation

The Incident

The puncture happened at the top of the Steyning ridge, which is also the point furthest from a bike shop in any direction. Credit to the group: it was fixed in under twelve minutes, and the cargo bike had the pump. This is why the cargo bike always gets to come.

Numbers

• Riders: 14
• Distance: 36 miles
• Elevation: ~480m
• Punctures: 1 (rear, slow leak, identified at the worst possible moment)
• Coffee stops: 2

Next time: same route, earlier start, fewer excuses about not having the right bike.