The Downs Link Way

I have found getting back into writing quite hard, I think I’m out of practice but, here goes!
A couple weeks ago, Richard being the fool he is, trusted me to plan this our second cycle ride and again it was too far! Will I ever learn?
All that said, I ticked off a route I have wanted to do for some time.
We cycled the Downs Link Way. The trail starts a 37mile from St Martha’s Hill near Guildford to Shoreham by Sea. It links the North Downs with the South Downs hence it’s name.

The path is along a route of rail tracks that were made redundant as a result of Dr Beechings Cuts in the 1960’s. This has left a number routes that have been adopted as public rights of way. https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/our-history/making-the-connection/dr-beechings-axe/ cuts.
All that said you would think it an easy thing to follow and it is mostly!

We started in Guildford, not at the official begining. We got off the train and cycled along the South Wey Path to meet it the Downs Link Way.

We did however manage to get lost and miss a turn within the first hour mainly because we over shot the bridge where the routes merge. On a plus side, we did find a spot that you can swim and I love a bit of wild swimming! We didn’t stop this time.
In the first couple of hours I had a wardrobe failure which meant a stop at one of these abandoned stations for Richard to use a bag strap to make me a sort of corset. That sounds weirder than it was but, it did the trick!

The route as a whole is easy, relatively flat and surfaced. It was shaded for the most part and pleasant on a hot day, however It’s found it a bit boring as there was little in the way of a view.

We were overtaken by just about every cyclist. Do I really go that slowly? There are a couple of abandoned Stations to look at and not much else untill you hit the Downs when, the landscape opens up and you cycle the gap made by the River Adur and down into Shoreham-by-Sea.

Shoreham was a surprise, I don’t know what I expected but, it has a quaint fishing town, queezed in-between the suburban development.
Tired, sore and hungry as we arrived but my first priority was a dip in the sea! Ah the water it was lovely!
I didn’t want to put wet gritty feet into my triainers when we got out. Richard offered me one flip-flop and we did a funny three legged race back to our clothes. It made me laugh so much…..and pretty much the rest of the evening, simple things!
After a stop for tea and cake we meandered back along the River Adur to our accomodation at Upper Beeding, dinner and a well earned sleep.
We had cycled nearly 46 miles!