Back from a great mountain bike ride for a group of eight guys on a Stag do - the groom dressed as a banana with a stylish Carmen Miranda hairpiece on his helmet.  Don't think I've seen so many passers-by laugh so much.

Hats off to some brave and sturdy riding from them all.  The groom to be, Rob, and two of his mates had done some epic rides before but, aside from mountain biking many years ago, the others were all fairly new to off-road cycling.  And the South Downs is challenging terrain to hit for even seasoned mountain bikers.

Our route took us along the Downs Link and then up the long climb to Truleigh Hill, over the Big Dipper and down to Saddlescombe Farm for a tea and cakes stop.  From there we worked our way along the Sussex Border Path and back along the South Downs Way to the Kymer windmills. A brief stop at the Chattri Indian War Memorial for some ZigZag Alive booster flapjacks and then a banana led procession into busy Brighton and back along the seafront to their hotel.

Big thanks as always to the Adur Outdoor Activities Centre who provided the hire bikes and safety cover and to Martyn for choosing ZigZag Alive - was great fun.