THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Experience a dynamic 3-hour bike ride through Devils Dyke’s dramatic valley and historic villages with Cannonball Bikes. Tailored for all levels, this journey combines natural beauty, centuries-old sites, and coastal vistas.
Experience a dynamic 3-hour bike ride through Devils Dyke’s dramatic valley and historic villages with Cannonball Bikes. Tailored for all levels, this journey combines natural beauty, centuries-old sites, and coastal vistas.
Book with Cannonball Bikes
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Cannonball Bikes · Brighton and Hove, England
Dominating the rolling South Downs, Devils Dyke slices through the English countryside as Britain’s deepest dry valley, plunging roughly 100 meters into a dramatic V-shaped ravine. Located near the historic village of Poynings, this stretch of hillside offers a rare combination of sweeping ridgelines, natural springs, and centuries-old landmarks. Cannonball Bikes taps into this landscape with a carefully crafted 3-hour bike tour that balances adrenaline-pumping descents with insightful local history.
Starting with a brief test ride, the journey leaves guests cycling either uphill or by support vehicle to the Dyke’s ridge. From here, the real adventure begins: winding down the valley to Poynings village where riders glance up at the 700-foot Dyke Hill. After a welcome break at the Royal Oak pub, the route continues through nearby Fulking, home to a local spring famously said to have never run dry, a watery curiosity among chalk hills.
The climb back up the hill is punctuated by visits to a flint oven and the eerie remains of an old Isolation Hospital once quarantining smallpox patients, blending natural beauty with haunting echoes of past lives. As the path traces the South Downs Way, panoramic views stretch westward over the North Downs and out toward the sea.
This approximately 20 to 25-kilometer ride accommodates all skill levels, with Cannonball Bikes adjusting pace and route to match riders’ fitness and comfort. The trip culminates back at Devils Dyke car park, an ideal spot for memorable photos. GPS tracking via Strava ensures riders can relive their performance and elevation as the adventure winds down.
Cannonball Bikes stands out for its tailored, knowledgeable approach to the South Downs, making Devils Dyke both an escape into England’s wild edges and a chance to glimpse the layers of history embedded beneath its hills.
moderate.
3 hours.
Suitable for riders with basic cycling fitness who can handle moderate hills and up to 25 km distance.
Yes, the ride is customizable and can be adapted to riders of all skill levels, including beginners.
Cannonball Bikes provides rental bikes and all necessary gear, so no need to bring your own.
Restrooms are available at the starting point and at The Royal Oak pub in Poynings.
The ride suits all ages, but children should be able to handle moderate cycling distances and hill climbs.
This experience is guided, with the option to track the ride on Strava for reference.
Cannonball Bikes will reschedule or modify the route to ensure safety during inclement weather.
Devils Dyke has been a known landmark since Roman times and once housed an Isolation Hospital for smallpox patients in the early 20th century.
The South Downs Way, including Devils Dyke, is actively managed to preserve the chalk grassland habitats and minimize erosion from increased visitor traffic.
Cannonball Bikes is a Brighton and Hove-based eBike rental and guided tour company specialising in electric mountain bike and coastal rides. The business offers a wide range of guided eBike experiences, from short seafront circuits to full-day routes along the South Downs Way and wine-tasting tours at Ridgeview, Albourne and Denbies. Trips range from approximately 2 to 6 hours and include family-friendly coastal rides, off-road eMTB adventures, and bespoke private tours. The fleet features models named in their listings, including Mondraker, Cube, Haibike, Kona, Canyon and Cannondale e-bikes, with options for full-suspension e-MTBs and step-through bikes. Several experiences combine cycling with local attractions: seafront vistas in Brighton, the Seven Sisters cliffs, Arundel, Devils Dyke and vineyard tastings at Ridgeview and Albourne Estate. Bookings typically cover bike hire, helmet use and guided navigation; specific trip details and durations are provided per listing. Cannonball Bikes serves riders of varied abilities and advertises guided stops, snack breaks and route guidance for scenic highlights. The company operates from Brighton and Hove and runs tours that start and finish in the local area. Cannonball Bikes lists bespoke electric mountain bike tours and a selection of named trips, allowing riders to choose equipment and route difficulty. For accurate availability, pricing and booking terms, refer to the individual trip descriptions or contact the operator directly. The operator publishes detailed trip summaries and lists vehicle models, sample durations and highlights. Participants are advised to check equipment requirements, age limits and cancellation policies before booking to confirm suitability online.
Book with Cannonball Bikes