Sunday 17 June. Strawberry Tea Ride.

Weather today was cloudy but dry with some sun in the afternoon. Temperatures reached 20C.

I led the ride and I was joined by 10 more at the Cross, Phil, Mary, Gill, Ann, Avryl, Harvey, Ernie, Linda, Freda and Jim. Alan and Liz and Adrian joined us at Hooksway and Arthur, Lynn and Kath at Avryl's for tea. 17 in total were out during the day, could the Strawberries have been a draw?

I led the group out on the cycle trail to Fishbourne and then direct to Bosham village for elevenses. We then took lanes via West Ashling where some geese wandered in the road by the pond and took exception to my disputing road space and hissed quite viciously.

We continued up Watery Lane to Funtington and then across to Walderton and Stoughton. Then continuing on the quiet wooded lane to East Marden and a sharp climb to the ridge. A short way along the B road and we turned off on the very steep descent down to Hooksway for lunch. We had not visited the Pub for many years and it made for a very pleasant stop.

The afternoon ride involved a few lumps starting with the steep climb back up the hill. Then down to Chilgrove and left on the undulating back road with hardly a car seen and lush green woods and fields. Also the giant boulders to spot, a bit like big snowballs sculpted as part of a culture trail across the West Dean Estate.

We reached the main road and headed south on the Centurion Way where in parts we just squeezed through the rampant vegetation overgrowing the trail. Then down to Tangmere via Lavant.

Avryl had laid tables and chairs out ready. The tables were soon seemingly groaning under the weight of great bowls piled high with Strawberries with cream and biscuits added. Some of us felt obliged to get though 3 helpings to make some impression on the strawberries.

After 1 1/2 hours at Avryl's we made our ways home. My mileage for the day was 44.

Edwin