Fancy some Green laning in East Sussex near Pevensey

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Steve Noakes

Steve Noakes

Active Member
Posts
131
Location
Sussex
Hi, I had a look at the Horse Eye / White Dyke green lane (byway 17/18/56) near Hailsham and Pevensey and it looked great in the sunshine. Being a novice to off-roading I went along the track a bit but came across some deep dry ruts. Didn't want to get stuck on my own so didn't proceed too far.
With the ruts, it gave a good excuse to buy a diff guard and steering guard which will arrive this week.
I've also looked at the Beddingham track on youtube which seems less rutted.
If anyone has some experience and wants to go along the tracks or know of others, I'd be grateful for some company and guidance.:)
 
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Would also be interested, there seems to be a lack of Greenlaning routes in Sussex, also know a few others who are looking for greenlaning opportunities in Sussex.
 
Thanks for quick responses, I checked the East Sussex website before venturing out. There is one closure until the end of December on the other Byway near Hailsham.
The Pevensey one showed to be open and the gates at each end were open on Wednesday when I made the post; I just didn't venture far along the track.
My protection guards should arrive this week then I'll be up for a run.
Is the Alfriston one easier than the Pevensey one which seems prone to flooding and therefore getting rutty. Cutting teeth on easier tracks may save embarrassment and possible damage :mad:
 
Steve Noakes said:
Thanks for quick responses, I checked the East Sussex website before venturing out. There is one closure until the end of December on the other Byway near Hailsham.
The Pevensey one showed to be open and the gates at each end were open on Wednesday when I made the post; I just didn't venture far along the track.
My protection guards should arrive this week then I'll be up for a run.
Is the Alfriston one easier than the Pevensey one which seems prone to flooding and therefore getting rutty. Cutting teeth on easier tracks may save embarrassment and possible damage :mad:
Click to expand...

Yeah half of it is gravelled, I drive it in a golf a few years back after a dry summer lol.
It's long and can be set and muddy, have done it on my own a few times if there is traffic on the main road lol

Only guard I have is a steering guard
 
I followed the route on Google maps and there is a section near firle which I couldn't see where the Byway went but it was close to a normal road so made a quick trip to have a look. Arrived at the junction and went for a stroll to look for the route. Google maps showed where it was supposed to be but no route for vehicles. Maize field and hedges with no obvious openings.
Has it been re-routed or has the farmer taken advantage of lack of use and blocked it off ?
I took the route from the junction towards Berwick which was mainly gravel. 1 section with close trees which tickled the paintwork and rattled the roof rack. 1 section was more rutty and very close trees with some exposed roots across the track. Low range and "steady she goes" and we got through; the steps took some hits and were covered in mud (next time I'll remember to fold them up !)
A few walkers on the tracks gave disapproving looks as we crawled past with pleasantries "good afternoon, thank you" but no abuse thankfully.
Steering guard and diff guard were comforting to know the underside was more protected.

South_Downs_laning.jpg
 
Is it me or are you sitting low on the rear?
Could be up for some lanes, or you can head over here for the pilgrims way some time. I'm not really finding any laning buddies out this way.
 
I had tools and trolley jack in the back but you're right, it does look low.
I'll check it tomorrow.
A trip to Kent is a possibility. What's the Pilgrims way like for newbies ?
 
Steve Noakes said:
I had tools and trolley jack in the back but you're right, it does look low.
I'll check it tomorrow.
A trip to Kent is a possibility. What's the Pilgrims way like for newbies ?
Click to expand...
In a word : Tight. It's a long old road with a wide variety of conditions from crawling over roots, through mud, to smooth gravel, and the odd tarmac section past cottages etc. Was my first lane, and I do it regular to work and back, but not for a month or so now, been on hols. Never grounded on it, but pulled a couple of bits off the side of the disco (tail light "protectors" fall off in a moderate breeze, and ripped a wing mirror off on a vine while in a rush). Doesn't pay to get complacent. Gorgeous views of Kent downs, and passes by the dirty habit pub among others.
 
Steve Noakes said:
I had tools and trolley jack in the back but you're right, it does look low.
I'll check it tomorrow.
A trip to Kent is a possibility. What's the Pilgrims way like for newbies ?
Click to expand...
Uprated springs might be the best underside protection you can get.
 
sounds good, the 110 has a big turning circle which isn't the best for tight tracks. Lift springs could be good. I don't want to compromise handling on motorways though as we use the 110 mainly for camping trips. Green laning is a nice to do.
Are there hight issues on the lane, the roof rack might need to come off for the trip ?
 
I'd pull the rack unless you're worried about the roof, the disco has a few light scratches up top, but mostly on the sides.

Cheap heavy load springs (not progressive) would give you a slight lift without compromising too much, and should reduce risk of bottoming out. That's my plan once the wallet recovers from hols. Using the vehicle for work makes it a bit of a no-brainer.
 
PS I have a few big scratches too, but not from there. If it was that bad I wouldn't use it day to day. There are one or two I've stopped using, but I'm far from precious with my paintwork, fair warning.
 
Thanks, I checked the height today on level ground and both front and back were level. Must have been the angle I took the shot.
the roof rack is easy enough to take off, the lights are fed from a junction box so just 1 wire to pull out and tie out the way to disconnect from roof rack.
We're planning to get a full respray at some point so a few more scratches before then won't hurt. Just don't want to bend anything as a difficult drive home otherwise.
 
It's broken up by various lanes etc, but you can search "pilgrims way" and follow it along both ways, although you'll have to zoom in for the grey lines. I tend to get on near ashford and follow up to the 249, but it's an ancient road which pilgrims followed from London (st Paul's iirc to Canterbury cathdral), and most of it is still public ROW. I'd love to do the whole route (leave the pub crawl to the walkers though) but honestly not exactly sure of where it is, since the north downs way (another byway) joins it. We're lucky to have so many byways here in Kent, but in some parts you can get lost on them if you don't know your way around.

Don't sweat the springs. They may save your tank one time in a hundred, if that, but won't do anything for your axle clearance anyway. For that you need bigger wheels, and I do this route regularly on standard AT tyres, with the tow hitch on.
 
I did forum reading on spring lifts and the consensus is as you describe - lifts don't offer a solution for bottoming out - tyres do that of course.
Mine was used a lot towing a car transporter by the previous owner for 10+ years (he made his own steam car from scratch and toured steam rallys) so the rear springs may be tired a bit.
IMG_1017.jpg He's now got a 130 with a de-mountable camper top : IMG_1019.jpg
My dad lives near Folkestone so a trip around Kent would be great to bring him along for the ride.
Do you have any free dates over the next few months to have a drive ?
 
I'm sure I do mate, will PM you.
Did Detling-Hollingbourne yesterday and it's quite overgrown in parts, but dry. Not sure how responsible it is to recommend taking a 110 through there, but if you're redecorating anyway won't do any real harm. I did it with the roof bars on. Most of that section is tarmac but a nice drive anyway, and that's where it starts to become byways.
 
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