After a brilliant October, the weather was finally on the turn today for our long ride to Arundel. The temperature still held up at between 11 and 15 degrees and light winds but it was overcast, and with the constant threat of rain, we were lucky to only encounter one sharp shower in the Barnham area.

 Nine of us were at the start point, with two newcomers collected on the way (by prior arrangement!) meaning 11 out on the ride.

Julian, Deb, Suzanne, Karen, Mike, David, Maureen, Steve and myself set out from Bognor library where we took the usual back roads to Felpham and the new estate at Flansham. From here i led the group a little way up the as yet unopen Northern Relief Road to the Stanover Lane junction, where the rough and muddy track has finally had some surface dressing which keeps the mud at bay and makes a good shortcut to the Barnham Cycletrack. At the top of Hoe Lane we collected our newbies Teresa and Sharon, who we hope enjoyed the experience and will see them again soon.

Up the Barnham Cycletrack we went, then under the rail bridge to Walberton. The new and very expensive cycletrack to Walberton is almost completed but is securely fenced off to prevent errant cyclists having the temerity to use it before the official opening date. I believe there is some snagging work still to complete. So we stuck to the Barnham Road.

At Walberton a short cut on an umade road took us out to Binsted Lane and the roller-coaster hill past Beam Ends heading to Tortington. Successfully negotiating the bumpy bit where the tarmac inexplicably runs out, we found ourselves at the spooky Madonna Pond. Then a steady climb through the highly picturesque Binsted Woods followed by the little known cut into Torton Hill Road and before we knew it we had gone under the A27 River Bridge and were in Arundel Town Centre.  Some suitable refreshment was taken at the quaint Grounds Coffee House.

For the return route, I completed a circular ride going under the A27 again but this time emerging on the Ford Road. Down to Ford station, then Ford Lane to Yapton, over the old canal bridge to Bilsham, and we soon arrived at Comet Corner and Middleton. Middleton is very quiet at present due to the road closure, which as supposed to be for 2 days only, but has now been about 3 weeks. Fortunately bikes can negotiate the closed bit easily. We arrived back into Bognor via the promenade, dropping people off along the way.

The round trip mileage from and back to, the start point, was 23, which makes it one of the longest Saturday rides we do. However it always seems to be very popular as its a very picturesue route. By the time i got home, my mileage was nudging 30.

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 BST

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