Streat Bostal

The other day, I rode up Streat Bostal.  It's one of a number of the 'Bostal' routes up the North side of the South Downs,  and one I've been meaning to ride for a long time.

It's a handy little route - it's directly parallel to Ditching Beacon (or Ditching Bostal, to give it its proper name), and can bring you to the same place.  As you'll see from the little loop in the picture, it's very much shorter than the Ditching climb.  So it's steeper, then.  Yes.  But it's surfaced, and it's a bridleway, so there are no cars.  In fact there was no-one there at all when I rode it.

At the top, you can either take the bridleway down towards Brighton, or join the road at the top of Ditchling by going along the South Downs Way.  That's what I did - very scenic.

Worth remembering if you're on a ride which involves climbing Ditching Beacon - it's very much nicer.

Mark

Author: Mark G

6 Comments:

Geoffrey Shields 10 August 2017 at 07:45 BST

Mark, V interesting. Are you going over to the other side? When will you take delivery, or more likely, build a full suspension MTB?

Seriously, is the bridlepath roadbike (25mm)friendly?

Mark G 10 August 2017 at 08:37 BST

The road to the top of the bostal is tarmac, Geoffrey, so you could ride anything up it. From there to the top of Ditchling the South Downs Way is flints and gravel, and easy enough.

I haven't gone over the other side yet, but I have sketched out a ride that goes over and then onwards to Beachy Head. Doesn't look any worse than the Pilgrims Way, which you so enjoyed ...

I'll report back.

ps - tyres - Compass 42mm.

Dave Vine 10 August 2017 at 22:04 BST

Thanks Mark. Looks deceptively flat in satellite view. Only 1/2 mile long, 110 metres climb, and according to Bikehike max gradient only 35%.

Mark G 11 August 2017 at 18:25 BST

Well, yes, it is steep, Dave, and it's fairly sustained, but it's not that steep! Nothing more than 20%, I'd say.

None of the A Group would have any trouble with it.

Ged Lawrenson 11 August 2017 at 19:31 BST

My OS Explorer 122 shows the ascent as the 'Plumpton Bostall', and another option, and slightly longer climb to reach the ridge would be via the Burnhouse Bostall to the west, though I don't know how this surface compares with the former.
Count me in for a dry summer ride!

Mark G 11 August 2017 at 20:27 BST

You're on, Ged! As you've spotted, there are quite a few of these bostals - some called bostal, some called track or road. They're all a short, direct route up the steep side of the Downs. I've ridden several, surface varies and steepness varies. But it should be possible to sort out a good day joining a few together - some good pubs in the area, too, so we wouldn't go hungry.