June 2011 Update and News

http://www.southdownscycling.com/
June update complete. Added 2 new sections. South downs maps and guides (inc South Downs Way) have a look and Local off road cycling tips have a look

I have looked into which Ordnance Survey Explorer and Landranger Maps cover the new National park. I dont think anyone else has done this yet – its not on the SDNP Authority website, and even the OS site itself doesn’t tell you wich maps cover any national parks

Unfortunately there a no current plans from the SDNP or National Trails to install weather stations or web cams. They have no funding in place for the hardware or website development that would be needed. So lets do it oursleves and lets start with devils dyke – it may be possible to get some costs refunded by the time it gets set-up. I am happy to help set up the website – if anyone else can help then please get in touch on: public1@southdownscycling.com

May 2011 Update

Just finished May update. New Content, Total link check and sent linkback reminders to all “listees”

May NEWS: South Downs National Park and Authority “officially” Live as of April 1st. Good regional and national media coverage.

We have started a campaign to to install WebCams and Wind Vanes/ Speedometers at a few spots along the South Downs Way. With the photos and wind data being fed to the SDNPA website. This is very useful for walkers / bikers / paragliders to get an up-to date idea of weather conditions. It is something that some of the other national parks have in place. The obvious spots are Butser Hill and Devils Dyke (there did used to be a local BBC? webcam at Devils Dyke but it seems to have gone) Let them know what you think at:
sdw@southdowns.gov.uk

We are now getting over 220 visitors a week

March Update Added

Just done March update. Also news about a new South Downs National Park MTB HUB Website> Still waiting for website DEV funding. ooh and added some photos at last
www.southdownscycling.com

southdownscycling purpose and ethos

just trying to make a useful site. Visitors to the new park should be increasing year on year so it its a good opportunity and couldn’t see any other sites that pull all this together. I will need your help to keep it up-to-date, spread the word, let me know if your links / e-mails change, & tell me what else would be good on the site.

I will also be publishing e-mails and news from the South Downs Park Authority on any cycling related matters – such as there strategies for developing cycle facilities and routes, or visitor number data etc. The commercial emphasis of this site is to promote south downs small businesses and strengthen the local economy.

We are also trying to promote sustainable tourism by enabling the South Downs visitors to access all the information they need in one place which should make cycling too and in the park a simpler process. This obviously applies to residents and communities bordering the park. So join us http://www.southdownscycling.com/

Join us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/pages/southdownscyclingcom

Aug 2010 Outline of how cycling will be managed in the SDNP

The South Downs National Park Authority will be creating its own policies in due course and developing a new South Downs National Park Management Plan with all partners and stakeholders, to ensure that we can meet the National Park Purposes:

To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the South Downs;

To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities; - and a ‘Duty’ – to seek to foster the social and economic well-being of the local community in pursuit of the purposes.

In pursuit of the 2nd purpose, we will be setting up a new statutory South Downs Access Forum and will be looking to the cycling fraternity to help us define what is needed. The South Downs National Park Authority will be keen to increase the opportunities for all sorts of access across the Downs and support for cycling for recreation and transport purposes.

Bike Resources for the South Downs National Park UK

www.southdownscycling.com is an Open Resource Hub for all visitors, residents, commercial and non-commercial organisations relevant to Cycling in the new South Downs National Park.

We are attempting to collate all bike related resources located in or near the South Downs National Park and need you to let us know about your Shop/Club/Businesses or Charity so we can build a really useful website.

We want everything from established companies to your 1 man trail mapping efforts. So please visit the site and submit your details. The commercal elements of this site are to promote small, local businesses. In order to strengthen the South Downs economy. You won’t find any national retail or hospitality chains.