Purpose: Ride to the iconic Hastings May Day gathering with the Surrey Chapter, followed by a relaxed countryside return with great food and scenic roads.
✅ Meet Point & Departure
📍 Meet Location: Ockham Bites Café Car Park, Ockham Lane, Cobham, KT11 1NA
🕖 Meet Time: 07:30
🏁 Kickstands Up: 08:00 sharp
⚠️ Arrive with a full tank. Early start avoids congestion at Hastings and keeps the day flowing smoothly.
🛣️ Outbound Route – Ockham to Hastings
Route:
Depart Ockham Bites
Join M25 clockwise
Exit at Junction 5, merge onto the A21 southbound
Continue straight into Hastings, following signs for the seafront
ETA Hastings: 09:30–10:00
🛑 Fuel Option: Petrol station in Hastings (available just outside the town centre)
🍳 Morning Stop – Hastings Seafront - Park in the main car park on the seafront (look for mass motorcycle parking)
Grab a breakfast roll, coffee, or tea from one of the many beachfront cafés
Enjoy the atmosphere, but keep an eye on the time
Departure: 11:00
🌄 Scenic Return Route
Depart Hastings heading north via Sedlescombe and Staplecross
Continue through to Bodiam
🍽️ Lunch Stop – The Castle Inn, Bodiam
Arrival: ~12:00
Great spot with views of Bodiam Castle, proper pub lunch
Rest, refuel (people & bikes), and enjoy the calm after Hastings
🛑 Nearby Fuel Option: Burwash – small station en route after lunch
🏞️ Final Stretch – Sussex to Surrey
Continue westbound via:
Etchingham
Burwash
Lewes
Brighton bypass (A27)
Bolney
Pick up the A272, cruising through country lanes and rolling hills
Through Petworth (another good fuel stop)
Back into Surrey via local backroads to Loxwood
🍻 Final Stop – Onslow Arms, Loxwood - ETA: 15:30–16:00
Time for refreshments, reflection, and good company
End of the official ride – riders free to head home from here
⛽ Suggested Fuel Stops (for all tank sizes):
🛑 Hastings (after arrival)
🛑 Burwash (post-lunch route)
🛑 Brighton area (A27 access)
🛑 Petworth (on A272)
Plenty of options for those on smaller tanks — no stress!
📌 Ride Summary - Distance: ~180 miles
Ride Duration: ~8 hours (including stops)
Navigation: GPX file and visual route map to follow
Pace: Relaxed and social — this is about enjoyment, not speed