BOAT: Robin Post Lane

• Overall Rating: 5
• Location: Hailsham, East Sussex.
• OS Explorer Map 123, 'Eastbourne & Beachy Head, Newhaven, Seaford, Hailsham & Heathfield'.
• Starting OS Grid Reference: TQ578085 
• Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 85' 50" E000 24' 10"
• Finishing OS Grid Reference:  TQ563066
• Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 83' 80" E000 21' 90"
• To see: Abbots Wood.
• ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!

Update 13/01/2014: Given the activities of certain mindless filth (see below), this lane is now unsurprisingly subject to a seasonal TRO, in force for from 1st October to the 31st March every year. It's also protected by a hench metal barrier. Avoid during these dates.

The 2.2 miles of Robin Post lane winds its way through Abbot Wood, Forestry Commission woodland, on an almost parallel track to the A22 dual-carriageway. In late spring/early summer this long lane is absolutely a joy to drive, but it is unfortunately let down by the amount of illegal off-roading it has seen.

Starting at the northern end, this BOAT takes a south-easterly track and leaves the tarmac after passing through a housing estate. This byway suffers from some enormous pot holes which will certainly damage your vehicle if taken too fast. Slow right down, the fastest we drove was 10mph and the (albeit standard Land Rover) suspension still bottomed out! The surface is either compacted earth or gravel, and if it was not potholed it would be very easy going. (Update 17/11/2014: it has since been fixed up! The surface is now mostly compacted gravel for almost the entire length, and is very easy going.)

DON'T DO THIS!

The green lane winds its way though lush woodland ruined by the occasional conifer plantation, and heading ever downhill. At just over its halfway mark, there is evidence of some quite blatant, irresponsible and illegal off-road driving, only part of which is shown in the picture, right. It's overbearingly idiotic stuff like this that results in us legitimate users being banned from the byways when TRO's are imposed upon us, and this particular incidence is the worst we've seen so far on our extensive endeavours. It's not hard: just stay on the track!

The byway eventually ends on a bend where it becomes the metalled farm track for New House Farm. Whilst you're here, pull over and check out Abbots Wood, which this green lane runs through, which as stated above is a beautiful mixed woodland of approximately 360 hectares, offering waymarked forest trails, an adventure play area and barbecue/picnic sites. Well worth a day out. And for crying out loud, stay on the trail.

Statistics:
Total Distance: 3.52 km (2.2 mi)
Total Time: 14:07
Moving Time: 13:33
Average Speed: 14.96 km/h (9.3 mi/h)
Average Moving Speed: 15.58 km/h (9.7 mi/h)
Max Speed: 16.10 km/h (10.1 mi/h)
Min Elevation: 57 m (186 ft)
Max Elevation: 90 m (295 ft)
Elevation Gain: -45 m (149 ft)
Max Grade: 3 %
Min Grade: -4 %

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