Bognor Chichester CTC Ride Notes- Club Website is at www.bognorchichesterctc.org.uk
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Sunday 31 August. Ride to Tiffins, Petworth.
Linda was due to lead the ride today but as she could not make it I took over. I was joined at Walberton Pond by Anne, Colin and Phil on his solo bike for a change.
The weather today was little different from last Sunday with heavy continuous rain until about 11.00 and then easing to light rain and dry in the afternoon. We met at the handy bus shelter across the road from the Pond. We were due to leave at 9.30 but soon after that the heavy rain turned into a torrential downpour so we stayed put for 20 minutes watching as a local lady on her bike struggled through the downpour.
Phil could only come as far as elevenses before having to return home. In view of the weather we decided to shorten the ride and go to Tiffins, Petworth for elevenses and then back towards the coast to Aldingbourne for lunch.
As the rain eased to normal heavy rain I led the group up to Fontwell, under the underpass and then onto Slindon Bottom Road through Slindon Woods. At the best of times this seems pleasantly away from it all. Today with the rain coming down, lading the trees with moisture and mist rising from the ground in the warmth it felt like a remote tropical rainforest out of Lord of the Rings. However it was soon back to reality as we emerged from the woods and climbed up to Eartham. Then it was the main road to Duncton Hill which was shrouded in low cloud.
From the bottom of the hill we took lanes over to Petworth where we received a warm welcome from the staff despite a little dripping. Phil couldn’t join us but had to head straight back.
When we emerged the rain had eased to a little drizzle. We returned on the same route. Before Duncton Hill, Colin turned off to do his own route further east. Anne and I continued with the hard climb up Duncton Hill into the clouds but from the top we spotted blue sky towards the coast. We headed on down to Aldingbourne where John Maxim was already well into his roast lunch. I had the same followed by apple and blackberry crumble after the lady there told us she had just cooked it and it was still warm.
We made our own ways home. My mileage for the day was 43.
The day dawned cloudy wet and miserable with constant rain. It did though perk up a lot by about 11.30 when the rain cleared to some warm sunny spells and temperatures up to 20C.
Gill led this ride and not surprisingly she was joined at Walberton Pond by only 3 more, myself (Edwin) Phil and Mary.
Gill led us via Madehurst to Whiteways and then down Bury Hill and across on wet lanes to Sutton. Then more lanes up to Tiffins, Petworth for elevenses. As by now it was 11.30 we decided to make this a lunch stop and go on to the Pub later just for a drink. We had fast service and were soon tucking in. I had the breakfast which is served until 12.00.
The skies were clearing as we headed west on the A272. There were prominent new signs warning drivers to slow down and warning 39 casualties over the last 3 years next 5 miles. Not wishing to be no 40 we quickly turned off on the lane and long climb through Tillington. Then it was more quiet lanes down to River and up to Leggatt Hill and round to the Hollist Arms, Lodsworth. This was notable for the new paved area in the lower rear garden under canvas for the smokers.
We continued south on more lanes towards South Ambersham. On crossing the River Rother there were a lot of people on the banks waiting for the annual Bath Race to come by. Then it was lanes across Ambersham Common and on to the A286 via Heyshott Green. Then up Cocking Hill and down the main road to West Dean Gardens for a welcome tea.
After tea we headed on down to Chichester on the Centurion Way. My mileage for the day from Pagham was 51.
Arthur led this ride and he was joined at the Cross by myself (Edwin) Linda, Gill, Sonia, Ernie, Avryl, David, Alan and Liz. Adrian joined us at Portsmouth making a total of 11 out on the day.
The weather was bright and sunny in the morning but clouding over in the afternoon but staying dry. Temperature was about 20C with a strong SW wind.
Arthur led us on the South Coast Cycle Route lanes to Westbourne and Havant. Then over the Bridge and down the Hayling Billy Cycle Trail with very clear views across to Portsmouth and the Spinnaker Tower. We stopped for elevenses at a Beach Kiosk neat the ferry to Southsea. Alan and Liz and Sonia went back from here and the rest of us caught the ferry. Adrian joined us on the other side and we continued along Southsea seafront with a strong headwind to the Gosport ferry next to Portsmouth Harbour Train Station. After a quick crossing with views of the Spinnaker Tower we took the coast road with good cycle lanes to Lee on Solent and chose the Bluebird Cafe for lunch.
After some large lunches we headed back with a much anticipated strong tailwind. We took a different road back to Gosport via Stokes Bay and past Haslar Hospital. Then the ferry back to Portsmouth, we were getting our sea legs by now.
We continued through Southsea and back along the Seafront to the Hayling Ferry which soon arrived. Then it was lanes up from West Hayling and across on lanes to North Hayling and Northney. We had planned to go to Emsworth for Tea but I spotted a Cream Teas Today sign outside St Peters Church Northney. We soon piled in there for a welcome break. This was their second year doing teas which this year have been every Sunday 25 May to 7 September 3.00 to 5.00. There are several Russian Graves in the Churchyard including HSH Princess Katherine Yourievsky, the youngest daughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia. She lived the last 31 years of her life in Hayling Island and was buried in the churchyard. For more on the history of the Princess and the sad end to her life follow the link to this website and an article The last of the Hampshire Romanovs. Found with a search on Google.
We headed back over the Bridge and then the path along the foreshore and a path and lane under the A27 up to the road into Havant. As time was getting on it was then straight along the A259 back to Chichester with a strong tailwind.
Mileage from and back to the Cross was about 53. My mileage for the day was 65.
Edwin
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A total of 15 riders risked the weather today after a thoroughly wet and depressing previous day and despite some ominous dark clouds it remained dry and with some sunshine as well. Those out at sometime during the day were Avryl, Freda, Jim, Jeff, Adrian, Arthur, Lynn, David, Harvey, Richard, Keith, Edwin, Gill, Phil and Mary.
We set off from The Cross at Chichester and followed the Salterns Way stopping at the Yacht Basin for coffee and then carried on to Birdham. Here we cut across the main road to Bell Lane and hence through Almondington and Highleigh Road past Sidlesham school and Brent Lodge bird hospital to B2145 Chichester to Selsey Road. There was a strong headwind and a lot of traffic as we headed towards Selsey and we got separated into two groups but finally all made it to the Lifeboat Inn arriving in good time to get seated at a table. We awaited the arrival of Phil and Mary with Gill who had taken a longer ride via Midhurst and had had a battle against the wind.
We returned along the Bill Way and were blown back towards Chichester. Phil and Mary offered us tea at their house and we sat and basked in the sunshine fortified by freshly made hot scones, teas etc.
We made our different ways home from Runcton, the mileage from The Cross being 30mls.
Phil and Mary led this ride and they were joined at the Cross by myself (Edwin) Gill, Linda and Richard. John Wickens from Arun Adur making his own way there and coincidentally met us near Petworth and joined us for the rest of the ride.
Weather was rather wet with frequent drizzly showers in the morning but made better by a westerly tail wind. The weather was cloudy but mainly dry for the return ride in the afternoon.
We headed out of Chichester and over the downs via the Pillygreen Lodge road. Then it was along the ridge with a view down to the coast despite the cloud. Then the main road to Duncton Hill and a careful descent on the wet road and a sharp left turn into the lanes. We followed quiet if muddy lanes across to Petworth and elevenses at Tiffin’s. This was our first visit there since it reopened and we were made very welcome by the new owners.
Then it was more lanes via Balls Cross and Kirdford to Wisborough Green. The weather was just dry enough for a picnic although some went for the Pub instead. We were joined by another 3 from Arun Adur and 7 from Horsham making 17 altogether which was reasonable considering the weather.
The planned afternoon stop was Bignor Park House for a visit to the Gardens and for tea on a rare day when it was open. John wanted to go there too so he joined us for the ride there. Phil led us up a lane to the infamous climb on the lane to Fittleworth with its average grade of 15%. After recovering at the top we headed down into Fittleworth and then lanes to Bignor Park and up the long driveway. Tea was in the stables and with large slices of cake on offer at £1 each I ended up having 2.
After tea John headed back to Bury to his car. The rest of us continued on the normally closed driveway coming out on a sharp bend between Sutton and the steep climb to Bignor Church. Phil turned right into Sutton and then across to Duncton Hill and its testing climb. We continued down the main road via Halnacker. When the others headed for Chichester I split off to return home via Tangmere.
