Sunday 16 December. West Ashling Pond

Sunday 16 December. Arthur and Keith in the Shed

Saturday Ride: Bognor Regis Library to Tangmere

This ride was part of the WSCC Walks & Ride programme and was advertised as running to the cafe at Tangmere Aviation Museum.

However the temperature this afternoon was a frosty 2 degrees with a biting northeasterly wind and the three of us that turned out (myself, Julian, and Alan) decided by mutual consent to curtail the ride to a closer venue to avoid frostbite to our extremities (my Thinsulate gloves seemed particularly ineffective). We therefore contented ourselves with a short spin around the extremities of Bognor Regis, taking in Bersted, Stroud Green, and  Aldwick via a not particularly direct route, to arrive at The Waverley on Aldwick seafront for a coffee and a chance to get the feeling back in my hands.

Then it was back to central Bognor where we went our separate ways.

My mileage for the afternoon was 12.

Graham

Sunday 9th December. Christmas lunch rides to Aldingbourne.

 

There were two rides today from Chichester Cross.  I led the 8.15 early start ride designated as an Appetite Improver Ride.

 

The weather was not very good with a strong south-westerly wind and periods of rain coming through.  The weather had cleared though by mid-morning giving us a sunny ride back in the afternoon.

 

I was joined at the Cross by just a day few hardy riders, Phil, Gill and Ann.

 

The originally planned elevenses stop was Saddlers cafe in Petworth. This was closed and I decided to take advantage of the southwest wind and head instead for Wiggonholt for elevenses.  We headed east from Chichester and then took lanes to climb the Downs via Pillygreen.  We then rode along the top ridge and then along the main road to descend Duncton Hill.  Then it was a lanes across to Fittleworth and then on to Coldwaltham.

 

We arrived at Wiggonholt at 10 and seemed to be the first customers of the day.  The return route was mainly in the dry apart from a heavy shower as we went through Houghton. At the top of the hill Phil went on ahead as he needed to get back to collect Mary.  The rest of us were running a little early so I took them on a few diversions.  First we descended via Madehurst and then before the Spur we turned off to the right up a steep hill to Slindon with views down to the coast and the sun coming out.  Then it was on via Eartham and finally down to Aldingbourne for the Christmas lunch in the conference room next to the tearooms.

 

There were 17 of us with most coming by car but Harvey and Richard came by bike on the later start ride from Chichester.  The meal was excellent and very good value with two courses followed by mince pies and coffee for £12.

 

My mileage to lunchtime was 40 with another 10 miles to return home making 50 for the day.

 

Edwin

Leaving Wiggonholt

Top of the hill near Slindon

Christmas Lunch at Aldingbourne

Sunday 2 December: Chichester Cross to Walderton

Today was a windy day, with occasional heavy downpours.

There were 3 riders at the Cross for this ride, Phil (leading), Mary and Gill. They made their way to elevenses at Stansted House tea rooms via the normal route, and then arrived at the Barley Mow in Walderton just after noon where I met up with the group. Unfortunately one of the downpours caught me just before arriving at the pub (I had to shelter in a bus stop) and the others just as they were setting off from elevenses. Fortunately the rain squalls were shortlived.

We had a leisurely lunch in the pub, whilst gently drying out. Upon departing we discovered miraculously that the wind and rain had blown over and we were treated to an afternoon of clear skies and bright sun. The rest of the group rode back to Chichester via afternoon tea at Bosham, I cycled straight home from the pub.

My distance cycled for the day was 45km.

Adrian

Sunday 25th of November. Ride to Nutbourne

Weather today was still cold about 9C but bright and sunny most of the day.

 

Harvey led the ride and he was joined at the pond by myself, (Edwin) Gill, Ann, Avryl and then Ernie.  The Arun Adur ride had started from the pond at 9.30 to go to Harting but only Ernie, John Wickens and Jo England had turned up and all of them apart from Ernie planned to go back after elevenses.  John and Jo decided to go on alone leaving Ernie free to join us for a full day ride.  Just as we were leaving Walberton Chris arrived and we met up with Alan and Liz at Wiggonholt making a total of 8 from Bognor out on the day.

 

Harvey led us via Madehurst and then down Houghton Hill and across to Bury.  We then rode on the quiet lanes across to Coldwaltham and then round to Wiggonholt with the intention of having elevenses there.  We were a little late and there was an enormous queue so we decided to give it a miss and go straight to Nutbourne for lunch.  Alan and Liz joined us for the ride there.  We were soon joined by about 8 from Horsham Section and later by John Maxim and Brian and Sue.

 

In the afternoon we headed back on a direct route.  John, Brian and Sue turned off to head east and Alan and Liz had gone back earlier.  The rest of us went over to Houghton Bridge tea rooms for tea.

 

After climbing Houghton hill we headed back down the main road and split up at the Spur.  I headed home via Yapton and then along the coast.  I arrived at the seafront just as the Sun had set with bright colours decorating the sky.

 

My mileage for the day was 50.

 

Edwin

Sunday 25 November. Nutbourne Ride. Click "View all images" to see a larger view.

Powered by Qumana

Sunday 18 November - Chichester Cross start
A hardy group of four (Adrian, Anne, Phil & Mary) met at the Cross at 10 am
surrounded by a massive team from the local Rotary Clubs erecting the
Chichester Christmas Tree. We quickly left this exciting scene behind and
headed east to cross the Downs by Pillygreen Lodge and bear north towards
Duncton Hill. We descended Duncton, turning right at the bottom and taking
our ususal route via the CTC West Sussex Downhill course to Petworth.
Petworth is in a sorry state for coffee stops. Tiffins was closed, and
Saddlers was both closed and up for sale! The coffee shop up the cobbled
street was also closed, but we eventually found some coffee in the pub next
to Sommefields.

After coffee, we headed west to half-way house, then turned south through
Selbourne to Graffam. Contrary to forecasts, the weather had been quite
pleasant until coffee, but as we headed west the rain started, light at
first but gradually getting heavier so that by the time we reached the White
Horse at Graffam it was fairly bucketing down.

The landlord was very welcoming given our rather sodden appearance, and
directed us to the blazing wood fire in the corner. We ordered lunch and
settled into another corner with our drinks. We were joined by Colin,
representing the Walberton start.

After lunch we continued east to Cocking along very wet roads and in
continuous rain. We climbed Cocking Hill and descended to West Dean where
Adrian continued east to Portsmouth and the rest repaired to the tearoom.
From the tea room, Colin, Phil & Mary headed south to the Centurion Way and
Anne headed for a hot bath. At Lavant, Colin turned back east and Phil &
Mary continued to Chichester and then home.

Sunday 11th November. Ride to Rowlands Castle from Chichester.
The weather today was mixed, starting dry and then with some showers of light drizzle turning to heavier rain and even a little hail while we were inside having lunch. In the afternoon the weather cleared to bright sunny spells. Temperatures were about 11 C.

We had a good turnout for the ride. Richard was the leader and he was joined by myself (Edwin) Alan, Liz, Mike, Harvey, Arthur, Lynn, Phil and Mary. Steve Thomas joined us just as we were leaving Chichester and Ann and Gill joined us at lunchtime making a total of 13 out on the day.

We left Chichester on the Centurion Way and then via Lavant and West Stoke to Funtington. We stopped at 11.00 to observe the two-minute silence for Remembrance Sunday. We continued on up to Compton for elevenses at the shop. We then continued on lanes via Idsworth and Finchdean to Rowlands Castle for lunch. Just as we arrived a large group from Portsmouth CTC were leaving which was just as well as it gave us room to sit down in the cafe. Ann and Gill were waiting for us in the cafe. At the cafe we also met Claire and Vernon and chatted to them about their plans to resume their round the world cycle ride probably in 2009

After lunch we headed back via Westbourne and then the South Coast Cycle Route lanes to Bosham to stop for tea at Hilliers Cafe.

After Chichester we all headed back on different routes and I joined Phil and Mary and Gill to ride down the canal path.

My mileage for the day was 42.

Edwin

Sunday 11 November. Meeting at Chichester Cross

Sunday 11 November. Riding back on the lanes near West Ashling

Saturday 10th of November. Saturday ride, Chichester to Bosham.

 

The weather today was sunny with temperatures a little warmer than of late rising to 13 C.

 

I joined the ride later but 8 met at the Cross, Freda, Jim, Alan, Liz, Arthur, Martin, Julian and Val.

 

Freda led the ride on lanes via West Stoke and then down to Bosham for tea.  I joined the ride just as they were coming round the harbour.

 

While we had tea at the arcade cafe Martin and Arthur carried out some maintenance on Val’s bike.

 

We returned on a direct route to Chichester via Fishbourne.

 

Edwin

Saturday 10 November. Approaching Bosham

Sunday 4 November. Autumn Leaves Ride. Click "view all images" to see a larger view

Powered by Qumana

Sunday 28 October. Ride to the Keepers Arms, Trotton. Walberton Start

Good ride even though wet. Quite warm.

 

Again the ladies out-numbered the men with Anne Kelly and newcomer Deborah Lord, and Chris Turner at coffee plus Harvey.

 The Keepers Arms is not really a pub, just an expensive restaurant. We were "well out of place" in our waterproofs and dripping over the smart furniture. At £11 for sausage and mash it is too expensive. The garden centre cafe was also closed! We should avoid the Keepers Arms in future. 

We headed back to Cocking for food at the cafe which was good. Place seems to have changed hands. Welcoming nonetheless.  

Colin

Sunday 28th October. Ride to Stansted Garden Centre. Chichester Start

 

The planned ride for today was north to Trotton.  I led the ride in place of Phil.  The weather was dull, dank windy and drizzly and went downhill from there.

 

I had wondered whether anybody would turn up but two hardy ladies, Linda and Avryl soon arrived at the Cross.  We discussed options and as the wind was from the southwest and we would have to go straight into that coming back from Trotton and we decided on a short morning only ride for elevenses at Stansted.

 

Soon after leaving the rain became heavier and we donned full waterproofs.  We took a route on the South Coast Cycle Route via Woodmancote and then straight to Stansted for an elevenses stop in the warmth of the cafe.

 

The return route was on back roads to Funtington and then West Stoke and down to Chichester on the Centurion Way.

 

The rain had been heavy for most of the morning easing off to drizzle in the afternoon after we returned.

 

My mileage for the day was 34.

 

Edwin

Sunday 28 October. Meeting at the Cross