Once you have selected and booked your preferred date, time, number of courses and bike hire choices, we will review and fully approve your Ride and Dine by email.

On the day, you will meet your Marmalade guide in the car park of the Star hotel. There will be short introduction and briefing followed by the bike handover if you have rented.

You will then head out on off-road trails with your Marmalade guide for a three-hour guided ride customised to your experience level.

The circular route will return you back in time to change your clothes and freshen up, before we hand you over to the Star team for your two or three course dining experience.

After your meal, all you need to do is pay for your drinks and extra courses

Exploring the Eastern Downs

This eastern area of the South Downs National Park is home to two of the Marmalade team. The dense network of bridleways that spread out from the River Cuckmere, high above Seaford and Eastbourne, make this area a superb location for cross-country mountain biking and gravel riding.

Join us as we climb up onto the South Downs for a ride that could include the impressive and mysterious Long Man of Wilmington, the sprawling Firle estate and the stunning woodland of Friston Forest. Your tailored route will ensure you are immersed in the history of the old priory, the ancient settlements and the salt marshes. Along with the sea views along the world-famous coastline you will have a brilliant off-road biking adventure to remember.

Core skills and bike hire

This ride makes for a perfect introduction to the fun of off-road cycling. An expert Marmalade guide is on hand to help and support you, as you get to grips with the trails and making the most of your bike. E-bikes or manual mountain bikes are all welcome, whether you bring your own or hire from our friends at Cuckmere Cycle Co.

Why not go for full indulgence with a night or two at The Star and turn your Ride and Dine into the perfect active retreat?

Location

This Ride and Dine experience is based from The Star in Alfriston, and this is where you’ll meet your local Marmalade guide (and bikes, if you’re hiring) before heading out on the car-free bridleways to explore the eastern Downs.

How to get here

By train – The nearest stations are Seaford and Berwick (Sussex), both of which provide easy connections of just over a hour from London.

By road – From London or from further afield you’ll probably use the A23, A27, or the A259 coast road.

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• This ride is aimed at the novice off-road cyclist and the regular beginner mountain biker looking for a sociable and informative guided ride
• You are an active person who has the personal fitness to ride for at least 2-3 hours at a social and comfortable pace
• You will be confident in basic bike handling skills and proficient with operating your bicycle in the correct manner
• The trails will include features such as roots and loose rocks, along with small rollable drop-offs. All of which are rollable or can be ridden around
• All the trails will have options to ride around features that you do not feel comfortable riding
• You have your own suitable mountain bike (Hybrid and budget bicycles are not suitable for this ride)
  • Add electric or non-electric bike hire using the ‘Extras’ drop down menu when you book above
• The ride does contain a limited number of undulating and in places challenging climbs
• You are aged 18 and over unless accompanied by an adult also participating on this ride
• If this sounds a little beyond your current skill and fitness level, please contact us for other options

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Distance: 10 – 25 mi | 16 – 40 km
• Ascent: 1,000 –  2,400 ft | 300 – 760 m
• Level: Advanced Beginner to Experienced
  (If you have any questions about your level, just contact us)
• Meet time: 30 minutes before your chosen booking time to allow for bike setup and ride briefing
• Meet point: The Star, Alfriston, East Sussex

E-bikes or manual mountain bikes are all welcome, whether you bring your own or hire from our local partners.

If you would like to rent a mountain bike, then take a look at what’s available below.

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. 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.

Mountain bikes available to hire

Electrically assisted Haibike hardtail

Non-electric Specialized hardtail

Hardtail mountain bikes have front suspension.
Full suspension bikes have front and rear suspension.

Equipment, kit and clothing

Essentials:

• Suitable mountain bike in good working order (bikes can be hired using the ‘Extras’ section above)
• 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 (if not hiring)
• Puncture repair kit and bicycle pump (if not hiring)
• Padded cycling shorts for comfort

What’s not included

• Bike hire – this can be booked via the ‘Extras’ section above
• Personal clothing & equipment
• Overnight accommodation
• Pre, during or post activity refreshments
• Transfers to & from location
• Personal Travel and Accident Insurance

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