This month our bike route roams from The Level in Brighton all the way to Lewes and back across downland via Ditchling Beacon and the South Downs Way.

1. The ride starts at the Level. Head off down Lewes Road, over the Vogue Gyratory, and continue to Stanmer Park.

Ride up through the park, round to the right and follow the road between the houses until you reach a gate.

2. Turn left, following the road up until you reach a small car park.

3. Turn right on to the Ditchling Beacon road, and follow it all the way to the Beacon.

4. When you reach the Beacon car park, cross over the road, go through the gate, and go east along the South Downs Way.

5. Just after the small summit stone, take the right fork and follow the track down to the racing stables at Landport Bottom.

6. At the stables, take the tarmac road for a few hundred metres, then continue on as it turns back into a path. Carry on down this path until you see Lewes Prison on your right.

You've made it to Lewes, and now you may feel like coming home on the train. But if you’ve still got itchy legs, you can return via the pre-1770 Juggs Road track, which was used to transport fish by donkey from Brighton to Lewes.

It’s a great ride but has one very steep climb.

7. From the prison, turn right, follow the road over the junction, down Winterbourne Hollow, round to the left and up Bell Lane, until you reach a small miniroundabout.

Turn right on to Juggs Road and follow it up over the bridge with the A27 below you. Carry on until you reach a gate.

8. Go through the gate and continue over the open fields until you reach Kingston.

Go straight over the crossroads, and up between some houses until the road becomes a path again and you have the Downs in front of you.

9. Follow the path that runs straight up the hill, and take the right fork. It is very steep so you may have to walk this bit, but it’s only two 200 metres or so.

From there it is straight on until you reach the mobile phone mast on the top of Newmarket Hill. Go through the gate and follow the road down to Falmer Road.

10. Go over Falmer Road and follow the track straight on until you join the main road that runs past the racecourse. Turn right and head down Elm Grove.

You are now back at The Level and you have completed the Downland Challenge!

Distance/time: Two hours each way at a gentle pace.

Thirsty work: There are plenty of cafes and pubs in Lewes for the deserving cyclist.

Surface: From smooth tarmac to very rough chalk track, with everything in between.

So you don't bet lost: OS Explorer Map 122.