New Sussex Cycling Guide Available
Source: Vertebrate Publishing
News Posted: 14 May 2008
Title: Cycling in Sussex - Off-Road Trails & Quiet Lanes
Two Sussex cyclists have become first-time authors following the publication of their new book, which showcases some of the best leisure and family cycling in Sussex.
Hassocks locals, Deirdre Huston and Marina Bullivant, began collating their favourite cycle rides in 2007. Following an approach to cycling and outdoor publisher Vertebrate Publishing in September a deal was struck and their Cycling in Sussex: Off-Road Trails & Quiet Lanesguidebook has now hit the shelves.
The book features 20 cycle rides between 4km and 28km, exploring the quiet lanes and trails of Sussex. Together with information about railway and seafront trails, Deirdre and Marina have also put together a selection of rides specifically designed for families based on their own personal experiences with their children.
Born and bred in central Sussex, Deirdre Huston is a qualified teacher and mother of three children aged 7, 11 and 13, all of whom proved to be enthusiastic route-testers. A former pupil of Hazelwick Comprehensive School, Deirdre is a keen cyclist and photographer so working on this book has provided her with the perfect excuse to explore rural Sussex whilst doing those very things. She spends much of her time writing fiction and poetry and takes great inspiration from the creativity, enthusiasm and ideas of the children and young people at her Young Writer's Workshops (www.youngwritersworkshops.co.uk). In March 2009 she will take part in Cycle Cuba, a 370km cycle ride across Cuba where she is hoping to raise at least £3,000 for 'Women for Women' ? a charity dedicated to improve the health of women and babies by training women scientists and clinicians.
Deirdre said; "Working on this book, I really enjoyed exploring new places while never quite knowing what would happen next. I've lived in Sussex all my life but out on our bikes, we were constantly finding places that somehow you hardly notice when you drive through them. We found beautiful, unspoilt places hidden in the shadows of the Downs, villages with stories to tell and woodland and pasture that seemed timeless. Sussex is excellent for leisure cycling because you have such a wide choice of terrain and views to enjoy, not to mention so many quick and easy cycle trails that are so great for families."
Marina Bullivant grew up in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire before moving to Sussex with her husband and two young children, both of whom attend Windmills Junior School, where her husband John is also a school governer. A keen cyclist, Marina began exploring new circular cycle rides when she realised she didn't like cycling along busy roads, up big hills and back the same way she had come. A book lover too, her and Deirdre are members of the same book group.
Marina said; "At first I explored routes by myself before being joined by a group of local mums who shared the same interests. They all seemed to enjoy following my previously 'untested' routes! When, after a few of these rides, Deirdre suggested researching more routes and publishing a book, I took no persuading and couldn't wait to get going, pondering over trails which would appeal to people like us who just enjoy being outside cycling. I think the really great thing about our rides is that you get to see Sussex from a different perspective to that of whizzing past in a car."
Cycling in Sussex is the third title in Vertebrate's Off-Road Trails & Quiet Lanes series, and their third cycling guidebook to south east England following mountain biking guides to the North & South Downs and the Ridgeway and Chiltern Hills.
Cycling in Sussex is available from all good bike shops, bookshops and direct from Vertebrate: www.v-outdoor.co.uk
Share this article with your favourite social networking sites.