Goodwood & Kingley Vale

From £48.00 inc. VAT

(5 customer reviews)

Ride info

Location: South Downs
Duration: 4 hours
Style: Cross-country (XC)
Level: 4

MTB Ride Level 4

Bike type

Mountain bike
Electric mountain bike

Distance

22 mi | 35 km

Ascent

2,300 ft | 700 m

Goodwood & Kingley Vale

From £48.00 inc. VAT

(5 customer reviews)

Join us as we explore the beautiful Goodwood Estate and ancient Kingley Vale this summer. This is one of our favourite South Downs loops – one that we keep tweaking and improving.

Whether as a custom private experience or as part of a Marmalade open group ride, this guided adventure combines the best of West Sussex’s countryside with expert support and assistance from an experienced local guide.

If you need to hire a bike, check availability first using the Bike Hire selector below.

Description

We love the rolling landscape of hills and villages in the South Downs north of Chichester. This is the heartland of outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of good living – with the Festival of Speed, ancient landmarks and countless country pubs. This vast network of trails links all these beautiful places together. Test your climbing prowess on epic climbs before being rewarded with tree-lined descents and views across the Solent. New for 2024, we begin and end our ride at the Selsey Arms pub in West Dean.

 

What to expect

You will need to have a good level of fitness to be able to enjoy this day out. In true South Downs style the riding is good old-fashioned cross-country, with long but rewarding climbs and open epic views. The riding is a mixture of bridleways and other trails, taking in the super fun and flat out woodland trails of the Goodwood Estate, Kingley Vale and Singleton Forest. The terrain is not overly technical – however it provides an exciting mixture to inject plenty of fun and a sense of challenge for all levels, especially novice mountain bikers.

If you are still not sure whether this ride is for you, then please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

The area and the trails

This part of the South Downs perfectly combines the ancient lush woodland with the Roman roads of yesteryear, which we will explore via the network of trails that festoon this stunning part of the National Park. The majority of this classic ride handles the variety of weather very well but in places is exposed and therefore we would recommend packing an additional layer – and your shades, for when the sun is out and gleaming off the downland chalk and the waters of the Solent.

Riding with Marmalade

We pride ourselves on creating the perfect vibe that makes everyone feel comfortable and confident. Combine a super fun and relaxed atmosphere with Marmalade’s expert knowledge and professionalism we will guarantee you the best day out discovering the trails of the South Downs.

Bike choice

This route is a traditional mountain bike ride. There will be fun bumpy descents, rooty forest trails and wide-open double tracks. So a hardtail or short travel full suspension mountain bike would be perfect. Big travel bikes are welcome – just be prepared for some extra effort.

This ride can be enjoyed on a conventional or electric mountain bike, whether you bring your own or hire from our friends at Riverside South Downs. If this ride is right for your level of experience and fitness, then bring your choice of machine. Marmalade rides have a friendly welcoming atmosphere, and e-bike riders who find themselves first up the hill are always patient and understanding of those relying on human-power alone.

Ensure your bike of choice is maintained and ready to ride, and please pack a spare mech hanger with your usual trail pack spares.

Ride details
  • Duration: 4-5 hours
  • Distance: 22 mi | 35 km
  • Ascent: 2,300 ft | 700 m
  • Level: +Advanced Beginner
    (If you have any questions about your level, just contact us)
  • Meet time: 9.30am │ 10.00am on bikes
  • Meet point: The Selsey Arms, West Dean, Chichester
What do I need?

Equipment, kit and clothing

Essentials:

  • Suitable mountain bike in good working order (bikes can be hired in advance)
  • Helmet (in good condition, with no damage)
  • Clothing and shoes appropriate for cycling and weather conditions on the day
  • Personal choice of drink and ride snacks

Recommended:

  • Gloves
  • Glasses, sunglasses or eyeshields
  • Backpack
  • Spare inner tube
  • Puncture repair kit and bicycle pump
  • Padded cycling shorts for comfort

What’s not included

  • Bike hire – this can be booked via the ‘Bike Hire‘ section
  • Personal clothing & equipment
  • Overnight accommodation
  • Pre, during or post activity refreshments
  • Personal travel or accident Insurance
Is this for me?
  • This ride is aimed at almost all levels who like cross-country style mountain biking
  • We would recommend that you are a minimum of an advanced novice off-road rider and or regular cyclist looking for a rewarding and sociable guided mountain bike ride
  • To take part, you’ll need to be an active person who has the personal fitness to ride for at least 3 hours at a social and comfortable pace
  • You should be confident riding a bike on roads or smooth terrain and able to operate it safely
  • The route may include features such as roots and loose rocks, along with small rollable steps – all of which can be easily ridden or avoided
  • The ride does contain a number of undulating and – in places challenging – climbs
  • This ride requires a suitable mountain bike (hybrid and budget bicycles are not suitable)
    • See the ‘Bike Hire‘ section below if you need to hire a bike
  • Riders should be aged 18 and over
  • If this ride sounds a little beyond your current skill and fitness level, please contact us and we’ll help you look at other options
Reviews
  1. Mark Bennett

    Another fantastic ride with Marmalade MTB. Expertly guided by Clive around a beautiful part of the South Downs with a great mix of terrain from wooded single track to the open rolling of the South Downs Way.

  2. Dave Collin

    Great days riding with coach Clive. Lots of climbing with some fantastic downs and views for days. Thanks Marmalade

  3. Matthew Hambly-Walker

    This was my second ride out with Marmalade. I’m always made to feel welcome. This is a great ride with a few long climbs, amazing scenery and fun down hills. Ending at the local pub for chips and a pint. I would highly recommend this ride!

  4. Jeff Grimes

    Another very enjoyable day out with Marmalade and Clive. Plenty of challenge for a novice like me but great sense of achievement too. Would highly recommend

  5. Justin Stonell

    Great ride, beautiful scenery, some challenging but doable climbs and some fun downs. Very good pub to cap it off. Perfect ride to show you what the South Downs is all about.

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Private experience (extra information)

Booking the Goodwood and Kingley Vale as a private ride

Base price of £180 is for one to four people. Add more riders for a group of five to eight using the ‘Extras’ drop down menu.
If you want a completely bespoke guided ride, then choose the ‘Custom Half or Full Day’ option from the ‘Experiences’ drop down menu.
Still not sure what experience is for you or have a question? Then please send Sean an email or call on +44(0)7840724611.

Need to hire a bike? Then after you have booked your private ride, scroll down or click here to reserve your bike(s).

Meet point: Once you have booked, we can decide on the best location to start your ride. This will depend on where your accommodation is and whether or not you require bike hire. If required we can bring the bikes to you.
If you want to discuss this before you book then please send Sean an email or call on +44(0)7840724611.

(All prices include VAT)

Bike hire (extra information)

How to book your bike:

  1. From the system below select the dates to match the ride you have booked with us
  2. Select the full day option
  3. Select normal mountain bike or electric mountain bike
  4. Choose the size of bike, based on your height
  5. Go to checkout and complete the bike hire reservation for each rider

These fantastic bikes, and this booking system, are provided by our friends at Riverside South Downs. If you have any questions or problems around booking your bike, just contact the Riverside team and they’ll help.    

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