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 Chalk restaurant. 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 Chalk restaurant 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 Wiston Estate and the South Downs

This area of the National Park, is home to many of the Marmalade team. The dense network of bridleways that spread out from the river Adur at Shoreham and high above Worthing and Steyning make this area a superb location for cross-country (XC) mountain biking and gravel riding.

We climb up onto the South Downs for a ride that includes the prehistoric hill forts of Cissbury Ring, Chanctonbury Ring and Lancing Ring. This loop that we take you on that includes circumnavigation of these ancient settlements, is perfect for any level of off-road cyclist looking to explore and take in this stunning area with its sea views.

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 one using the ‘Extras’ option when you book.

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Location

This Ride and Dine experience is based from the Wiston Estate’s marvellous Chalk restaurant, and this is where you’ll meet your local Marmalade guide and bikes if you’ve hired before heading out on the car-free bridleways to explore the estate.

How to get here

By train – The nearest station is Worthing Central which provides easy connections of just over a hour from London.

By road – From London and the south you’ll likely use the A24, A27, M23 and M27.

• 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: Chalk restaurant car park

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’ drop down menu 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’ drop down menu 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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The Wiston Estate and this part of the South Downs National park is a truly special place and staying longer to fully immerse yourself in this landscape and all that is offers, can only make your visit more memorable for that special occasion.

To compliment your Ride and Dine booking, why not extend your stay in Sussex with a local overnight stay and informative winery tour at Wiston.

We have listed out a few of our favourite local options for you:

Rural retreats and exquisite guests houses

• The Wiston Pumphouse
• House Arundel
• Arden House

Tours and Tastings at Wiston

• Winery tour and tasting