I think Simon's (quite rightly) thinking Ditchling might be a bit much for the greenhorns on this ride, apart from the risk of icy patches etc. He posted on CC it would be 'depending on time, temperature and the condition of the riders, down the cycle path beside the A23 or across to the Beacon.'
Ditchling's a bugger. It's not that bad in terms of gradient- nothing as bad as Southwick Hill Road going from Cosham past QAH, say- but it is relentless. Kind of like several of the deceptively easy-looking but painful climbs that are so common on the IOW, one after the other. Blackgang's a cakewalk in comparison. But Ditchling's fairly straightforward as long as you keep a steady pace- in May, I made the mistake of stopping for a drink, had to walk up to a flattish section to get going again. Whereas in July, just kept going, and (relatively speaking) it was much easier.