Local cyclists are invited to join Bespoke, Eastbourne’s campaign for safer cycling, on Saturday 4th July for a leisurely, guided 15-mile summer bike ride from Towner Gallery, Eastbourne to Jerwood Gallery, Hastings via De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill. We will be joined by the co-ordinator of the new Coastal Cultural Trail, Jessica Courtney-Bennett.
The idea of the 3 Galleries ride is to demonstrate to our elected representatives and others how easy and enjoyable this coastal ride can be, but also what needs to be done to make the roads properly safe. We will point out where the infrastructure is inadequate and make constructive suggestions. Powerpoint presentations are not our strong point; we would prefer to show you the route in a more direct way – by cycling along it.
Local cycle groups have long argued that bicycles are a convenient, low-cost, healthy and fun way of getting around our towns. But we also think that cycling should be promoted as a great way to travel between the three places – after all the terrain is fairly flat. In good weather, riding a bike is a genuine alternative to driving along the congested A259. But while the route between Bexhill and Hastings is safe and off-road, parts of the section from Eastbourne to Bexhill clearly need to be improved.
Practicalities
We will be gathering at the café on 2nd floor of Towner Gallery at 10am, then setting off at 10.30am. We will ride along Eastbourne seafront to Sovereign Harbour, then to Bexhill through Pevensey Bay, Norman’s Bay and Cooden Beach. Please make sure your bike is in working order! We will allow about two hours to get to De La Warr Pavilion, where we can have lunch and a brief presentation. After that, we will saddle up and ride the final five miles to Hastings, aiming to arrive at Jerwood Gallery by 3pm. Those returning to Eastbourne may well want to take the train!
It should be an enjoyable and informative ride. If you don’t have a bicycle or if time is short, do feel free to come and join us for lunch (and feedback) at De La Warr Pavilion from about 12.30pm or at Jerwood Gallery from around 3pm.
