John R led this ride from the Arun Leisure Centre. There were four riders at the start, Edwin, Graham, Julian and John. Harvey met us later at the pub.  It was a beautiful sunny and warm evening, excellent cycling conditions.

We set out via the Barnham cycletrack up to Walberton. Then it was the beginning of an uphill slog as we sweated our way via Fontwell and Slindon Bottom, then the long hard climb up to Eartham and the pub. 

After some welcome refreshment the return route was downhill all the way to Crockerhill and then Aldingbourne, where Edwin and John turned off to return via Oving and Colworth, whilst Julian and I took a more direct route via the Island at Westergate, then Shripney and a final "hill" over Highfield Bridge back to Felpham.

I'd done 19.3 miles by the time I got home.

Graham for John.

Posted by RideLeader at 00:43 BST

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The weather today was fine and sunny though with temperatures reduced to about 18C by a stiff SSW wind.

The ride today was led by Colin and he was joined at Walberton Pond by Gill. They took a route via Wiston for elevenses and then over to Poynings Garden Centre for lunch.

I was still taking it easy after my hip flared up a few weeks ago so I got a train to Hove. From there it was up though town and on to the Devils Dyke Road and a long but gentle climb to the top of the Downs above the Devils Dyke. Then down to Poynings and a short way round to the Garden Centre. I arrived a few minutes after Colin and Gill. We were also joined by John Wickens who had made his own way direct from Worthing.

The return route was along the back of the Downs via Bramber and then Coombe lane to Shoreham with fine views along the lane.

We passed round Shoreham Airfield where there was a special event and it was good to see a lot of families out on bikes. We then took the seafront cycle path trough Lancing and on to Worthing Pier where the others stopped for tea.

 I went on to Worthing Station to use my day return ticket to go on to Barnham. I then took the Barnham cycle path across to Flansham and stopped for an ice cream break at the seafront at Felpham.

My mileage for the day was 38 so Colin and Gill must have done a lot more.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:36 BST

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It was a dull and cloudy today, but the wind was warm and it never looked like raining as four of us set out from central Bognor.

Val, Steve, Carol and I headed eastwards via Bognor Golf Club then off-road through Flansham to join the Barnham cycletrack. From  Barnham it was on to Eastergate, where the village fete was in full swing as we passed by. Briefly making use of the A29 we turned off-road again up Northfields Lane to join Level Mare Lane. The offroad tracks were puddly but, despite the recent rain, not muddy.

From Level Mare Lane it was life-in-your-hands time as we crossed a very fast and busy A27 and the final few yards to Aldingbourne Country Centre. Waiting for us was Edwin, resplendent with new Mercian, and Alan & Liz, who had ridden up earlier to check out a new track for Sunday's ride. 

 As soon as we arrived the clouds moved over, the sun came out, and a warm afternoon began to turn into a hot one.

Tea stop at Aldingbourne Country Centre -  Low Resolution, resized image

 Edwin joined us for the run back to Bognor, which was via Crockerhill, Aldingbourne Village, Hook Lane, Westergate, Shripney and North Bersted village, completing a circular ride of about 17 miles.  My mileage starting and finishing at home was 23.3.

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 22:40 BST

Updated: Saturday, 12 June 2010 23:21 BST

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Very pleasant evening tonight, sunny with not much wind, although it got noticeably fresher as dusk fell.

There were 5 of us at the start point - Val, Jo, Julian, John, and myself.  As i had done a few miles earlier in the day I decided on a straightforward gentle route avoiding the busy roads. From Bognor Golf club we went up North Lane to join the Barnham cyclepath at the top of Hoe Lane. Then it was on through Barnham, down Lake Lane and over the railway at the occupation crossing in Maypole Lane.

We passed the Maypole pub, ran along Ford Lane and straight to the Ship & Anchor.  The campsite next to the pub was full of campers for this half term week, including a contingent of german motorcyclists working their way along the south coast. Also camped there was a lone chap on his pushbike, touring from Kent to the Isle of Wight. I was chatting to him in the pub and he told me he was worried about the trafffic in Portsmouth. Using his OS map I drew his attention to the route via the Hayling Ferry. He said he had wanted to incorporate Hayling Island in his trip but didn't think he had time. Hopefully he will try our suggested route.

We returned to Felpham direct via Ford Lane, Yapton and Middleton, arriving back just about 10pm when it was still not fully dark.

My round trip mileage was 13.6.

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 23:22 BST

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The weather today was dry with sunny spells and temperatures up to 18C but feeling a little chilly at times in a strong NW wind.

Harvey was our leader and he was joined at Chichester Cross by myself (Edwin) Alan, Liz, Mark Dudman and Robin Birtley.

We rode out of Chichester on West Street and then the cycle path past the Roman Palace. Then it was onto the lanes winding around to come out at Bosham Harbour and round the Harbour with fine views of the village and Church.

A lot of seaweed had washed up on the road which floods at high tide. This was exceptionally thick and all over the road near the village. I took a diversion onto the higher footpath to save my new Mercian from duel attacks by seawater and seaweed.

We stopped for elevenses at The Arcade Cafe. Outside were some very posh steel hammock chairs. They looked very nice until one read the price tag of £2900.

After refreshments Harvey took us up to the Bosham Roundabout and then the old road and a lane up to Hambrook where Robin left us to return home for lunch. We continued via Woodmancote and then past Racton to stop for lunch at the Barley Mow, Walderton. Alan and Liz left here to have sandwiches and then return home direct.

After lunch Harvey, Mark and I headed back via Funtington and then the quiet lane from Funtington to West Stoke.

After a Tea stop at the Roman Palace Cafe we headed back into Chichester and split up to head home. Mileage from and back to Chichester was 25. My mileage was 36.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 17:46 BST

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Yesterday I had finished building up my new Mercian Frame into a complete bike. Today was its first outing. Dry warm and sunny. No rain, no mud so it avoided all the things it will be allergic to.

On the Way to Havant for the start of the Langstone ride I stopped at Chichester Cross for 9.30. I had thought they would be going in my direction for a while but Colin planned to get there via Cocking. Colin led a group of 6 in all.Colin, Anne, Gill, Rex and Roger at the Cross and joined later by Chris Dart. I gather they had a good hard ride stopping for coffee up at Rake near Petersfield. Then it was a late lunch at West Meon and tea missed out because Rowlands Castle was closed by 4.00.

I continued to Havant via Westbourne for the start of the Circuit of Langstone Harbour Ride meeting at Havant Station car park at 10.30. The ride was originally due to be by Richard but as he was away Arthur took over. From the CTC there was Arthur, Lynn, Dave, Jan, Harvey and myself. However Arthur’s multiple Moulton connections brought in another 11 so 17 in total.

We rode down the start of the Hayling Billy trail to Langstone Harbour Bridge and stopped for elevenses at the Marina at North Hayling. This has a drinks machine which supplied me with a Hot Chocolate and a few others with drinks before it gave up under weight of numbers and the heat and broke down. After a rest we gathered outside ready to cause chaos on the lanes of Hayling with the poor motorists trying to get past.

Anticipating problems getting on one ferry Arthur and Lynn and a few more including myself left early leaving the rest to get the next ferry in 30 minutes. It was a nice smooth crossing and we settled on the other side at another fry up Cafe to wait. I passed up another lunch but did have an ice cream.

The others missed this Cafe as we were ready to go as their ferry arrived. We took a convoluted back street and cyclepath route through the eastern edges of Portsmouth and eventually onto the eastern road cyclepath with a sea breeze tailwind behind us.

My mileage for the day was 49.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:24 BST

Updated: Sunday, 23 May 2010 20:41 BST

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I was leading the long ride today and as I rode up to Chichester Cross there ahead of me was a great gathering of about 200 cyclists…What’s going on? Has our turnout suddenly escalated. Do they all really want to ride to Northchapel?

Our turnout was more modest at 7 with Anne, Gill, Colin, Jeff, Avryl and Rex joining me. The Mayor of Chichester was there to see off the Charity Riders. He then had a chat to Jeff, good to have friends in high places! We sort of got seen off by the Mayor, heading off soon after 9.30.

The route had to be a little different from normal due to the Goodwood Duathlon. Run Cycle and then run. This had involved a lot of roads near Goodwood being closed for the morning.

There was a slight surfeit of cycling events this morning. As well as the all important CTC ride to Northchapel there was the Charity Ride, The Duathlon and two Sportives. We met riders from the 133 k Duncton Sunday Sportive near Eartham. This did a circuit East –West between West Meon and Parham. Then north of Petworth we saw signs for the South West Road Club May Flyer Sportive which did a North – South circuit starting at Cobham and going as far south as Amberley.

To avoid the Duathlon roads I took a route via Tangmere, Halnaker and Eartham. Then it was down Duncton Hill and lanes to Petworth for elevenses. It was very chilly, about 13C with a NE wind. We met Arun Adur riders at Tiffins just as they were leaving. We were due to meet again for lunch at Northchapel.

After elevenses I took quiet lanes vial Balls Cross and lanes up to Northchapel. Apart from Jeff we all had sandwiches on the Green and then went into the Pub to join the Arun Adur riders.

Getting ready to leave outside Colin entertained us with a little dance to keep warm, well not exactly dance, more jumping up and down.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was 50. My mileage was 61.

Ride to West Wittering

Arthur led a shorter ride gathering a flock of 15. Arthur and Lynn, Alan and Liz, Barry, Dave, Jan, Sonja, Dawn and Fred and 5 of Arthur’s friends from the Moulton Club.

They stopped for elevenses at Chichester Yacht basin and with their 10.00 start managed to avoid the massed charity riders.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:59 BST

Updated: Monday, 10 May 2010 11:20 BST

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John R led this ride with Graham and Julian making up the group.

It was a clear, cold night with no wind.

We went through Felpham School and the Roundle estate, to Hoe Lane then up the cyclepath to Barnham. The cyclepath, 10 years in the planning and implementation, was officially "opened" last week and the northern part of it, the earliest bit to be completed, is already looking the worse for wear with the surface breaking up and becoming pitted and rutted.

From Barnham we went directly into Eastergate village via Church Lane, and to the pub.  Edwin joined us there, having been time-trialling this evening.

The return trip was a fast run down the A29 all the way back to Bognor, where Edwin and John peeled off and Julian and Graham made it back to the leisure centre.

Round trip mileage was 12.

Graham for John.

Posted by RideLeader at 23:50 BST

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Saturday 1^st May

For this years long weekend on the Isle of Wight there was just myself, Anne, Richard Boulton and John Maxim.

Weather on Saturday was dry with sunny intervals and a SW wind.

We headed out on the South Coast Cycle Route lane with views of bluebells and smell of wild garlic.

We stopped at Havant for an elevenses stop. Then it was on via Cosham and convoluted cyclepaths and back streets to the Portsmouth Fishbourne ferry. On the Isle of Wight John took over the lead introducing us to a café we had not tried before in a craft village in Arreton. After lunch we explored the grounds including a Carp Pond.

Sunday 2^nd May

Today had long been forecast as a washout. It was not as bad as it could have been. Some of us were woken in the night to the sound of a torrential downpour. However after breakfast it had just about stopped.

11s was at Yarmouth where John and Anne were just leaving as Richard and I arrived. After 11s arranged by Yarmouth School Richard and I continued towards Cowes. The rain returned about mid morning, not heavy but continuous. We decided to take a relaxed approach to completing the circuit and went for a short-cut up the cycle path to Newport. This is now tarmaced or concrete all the way. On the other side of Newport we picked up the Sandown Cycle Path and then lanes to Godshill for tea.

We returned to Ventnor by 4.00 and completed 53 miles. John and Anne returned an hour later after doing the full circuit with 72 miles completed.

Monday 3^rd May

The weather was better today, dry with cloud in the morning and sunny spells in the afternoon.

I led the return with lanes to the Garlic Farm near Newchurch in the centre of the Island for 11s. Then it was a stiff climb up Arreton Down and down to Havenstreet and a lane through Woods with Bluebells to the ferry.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:51 BST

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Five of us set off from Chichester Cross donned in waterproofs - Gill, Edwin, Harvey, Avryl and Mark Dudman. Mark used to cycle with our club up until about fifteen years ago and some members might remember him. Overnight and early morning light rainfall soon cleared and the sun broke through along Centurion Way.

We cycled to Stansted Garden Centre via West Stoke, along the back road to Funtington, through Aldsworth and just caught sight of Alan and Liz turning up the driveway in Forest Road to join us for coffee at Stansted.

We went on our various ways home from Chichester.

Mileage 27mls Written by Avryl (Leader)

Posted by RideLeader at 19:37 BST

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Every year I get a request to start the summer programme of evening rides off with a Tour of Bognor.  Every year support is patchy and this year, as last year, there were only 2 of us, myself and Julian.

It was a lovely sunny evening with no chance whatsoever of rain, but there was a sharp south-easterly wind which perhaps put people off.

Undaunted, the two of us set out. The tour is designed to be a short run through the back streets of Bognor covering some territory cycle rides don't normally do, and preferably finding somewhere that even Bognor people haven't been before.  

As might be expected, we did a fairly circuitous route down to Elmer, through the University grounds and central Bognor, Aldwick, Bersted, Felpham, Middleton, Ancton and Elmer, using some back alleys, side roads, and even some off roading at the Glenwood. A nice little run of about an hour and as dusk fell we arrived at the Elmer pub.

It all went wrong however on leaving the pub for a 10 minute sprint home when I discovered a flat rear tyre. A quick inspection indicated it wasn't going to be a quick fix, would not hold any air at all and must have happened pretty much instantly whilst pulling up at the pub.

I set off on foot for the 2 mile push home whilst Julian headed back to the leisure centre where he had left his car. I was half a mile from home when he pulled up alongside and kindly loaded my bike on his rack. So in the end I wasn't home much later than expected.

A further inspection of the damage has, surprisingly, failed to find any obvious cause; I will have to strip the tyre off and that will have to wait for the weekend.

Mileage for the evening was 10.3 (including the push).

Graham  

Posted by RideLeader at 23:54 BST

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Weather today was excellent with calm winds, clear blue skies and temperatures reaching a summer like 18C.

The longer ride started from the Cross to Hambledon. I (Edwin) was the leader and I was joined by Avryl, Anne, Gill, Colin, John Maxim and John Parkinson a newcomer out on his second Sunday ride with us. He was out on a very smart looking recumbent trike.

Riding into Chalton we rode up the first of a number of steep climbs encountered during the day. Then it was down a little before climbing up to the A3 crossing. Then down to Clanfield. John P was slower on the hills but outpaced everybody on the downhills with his lower profile. Then it was a long climb to HMS Mercury and a ride along the ridge above East Meon. From here it was a lot of meandering narrow lanes on remote downland and down to Hambledon.

We arrived at Lott’s Cafe but found they were closing early so had to make do with snacks from their shop. John P demonstrated that he didn’t need a seat from the Cafe.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:58 BST

Updated: Sunday, 18 April 2010 19:18 BST

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Seven of us met at Walberton Pond. Our leader Colin was joined by Anne, Avryl, Edwin, Gill, Harvey and Rex. Alan and Liz joined us for Elevenses and lunch and Chris Dart was just in time for the Freewheel competition and rode back with us after lunch.

Weather was mainly cloudy with sunny intervals in the morning and mainly sunny in the afternoon. It was very chilly early on with a strong NE wind but warming up by the afternoon to about 15C.

Colin led us the usual route via Madehurst and Houghton and then Amberley to stop for elevenses at Wiggonholt. We met the rest of the DA there with riders from Horsham and Arun Adur.

We all left together making a good sized group of about 20 making us very obvious to the motorists. We made our way to West Chiltington and then left at the X-roads to climb the hill to the start of the freewheel competition. Everybody was convinced to get together for a group photo at the top.

Graham from Arun Adur won it and Gill was fastest lady. 7 rode it from Arun Adur, 8 from Bognor Chichester and 5 from Horsham.

Anne, Further than last year

Colin Aerodynamic profile

Graham, Speeding to Victory
 

We had lunch at The Queens Head, West Chiltington and it was really good to see Dave Galle who joined us there assisted by Louise.

After lunch the various groups split up. Colin led us on some lanes, across a sandy Golf Course and then pretty lanes to Storrington.

Then it was on to Parham House and then Amberley and Houghton. Apart from Anne we all went on the Khyber route with good views down to the Arun Valley.

Then it was on to Arundel to the Putting Green Café. The generous portions of Apple Pie and Ice Cream served there were very welcome.

We returned via Ford with a good tailwind. I split off at Yapton to head back via Middleton and the coast. Mileage from and back to Walberton was about 42. My mileage was 56.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:34 BST

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A beautiful spring afternoon, sun shining and apparently not much wind - although there was a bit of a sharp easterly breeze on the way back.

Seven of us met at the library - myself, Alan, Julian, Phillippa, Carol, Steve and Hayley - and we wound our way round a bit of a tour of Bognor to West Meads then out on the Lower Bognor Road.

Then we turned off the road and headed over the tracks at Parigo Farm, re-joining a somewhat busier road at Lagness, before turning off again at Runcton on to Green Lane and around the perimeter track of the old Merston Aerodrome. From there it was a short trip through a copse of trees and an un-made track (Green Lane again) to emerge by the busy A259 dual carriageway, directly opposite Wyevale Garden Centre.

Crossing this road proved to be easier than we thought, and we went into the garden centre for the tea stop at the Garden Restaurant. Here Edwin had just arrived and was waiting for us.

 With Edwin joining us for the return journey, we headed straight down the Bognor-Chichester cycle track, through Colworth to North Bersted. Here Edwin, Carol, Steve and Hayley left, whilst the remainder of the group carried on via Stroud Green and onto the schools campus by special request of Phillippa who wanted to inspect her old school, Michael Ayres Junior.   She was sadly disappointed as Michael Ayres and the associated Glade infants School were both demolished shortly after Christmas 2009. However we looked at the sites and inspected the  new replacement junior/infant school as well as the enormous secondary school building being rapidly constructed all around.

From here it was a short sprint via The Arena back to Bognor town centre and the library.

 My mileage for the afternoon was a modest 17.6. For the circular trip library back to library, the distrance would have been approx 12.4.

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 00:23 BST

Updated: Sunday, 11 April 2010 00:46 BST

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Today the ride was led by Gill and she was Joined by myself (Edwin) and newer members Roger and Barry.

The weather was fairly good, mainly sunny and dry though with a chilly NW wind. There were bits of showers around in the afternoon but no more than spots.

Gill led us out from Chichester via Westhampnett and past the motor race circuit which was busy with a special event. Then it was on to the quiet climb up Pillygreen Hill. I spotted, pretty difficult to overlook, a new sculpture outside Sculpture at Goodwood. See picture below. Do you think that could be a specially strengthened Trike?

Then it was on to the lanes via Bepton to Midhurst and a stop for lunch at Ye Olde Tea Rooms. This was a good venue with some decent food at reasonable prices. Most of the tables were booked though and we got the last free one.

In the afternoon it was various lanes via South Ambersham and a fair few ups and downs on a pretty route to Graffham.

After tea we headed home our separate ways.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was about 35. My mileage from Pagham was 46.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:08 BST

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Weather today was reasonable, dry though cloudy and reaching a mild 12C. The forecast rain held off until evening.

Now back from a much warmer Lanzarote I led the ride and I was joined at the Cross by Anne, Gill, Sue Howe and Richard.

We took a route out via Clay Lane and the South Coast Cycle Route to Westbourne. Then it was a cyclepath and estate roads across to Emsworth to stop for elevenses at The Greenhouse Cafe. We were able to sit outdoors, a great improvement I gather over recent months.

Richard left us here to return home. The rest of us continued via Havant. After a special request from Anne who had Hill withdrawal symptoms we rode up Portsdown Hill with some great views across Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight. We had a brief stop in the car park at the top while I took a few pictures.

Then it was on past Fort Widley and then a long downhill to Cosham. Here we picked up the cycle route over to go past the continental Ferry Port. Then it was over to Gunwharf Quays and The Custom House Pub.

The return route was along Southsea seafront and on to the Hayling Island Ferry and a wait of about 20 minutes. The tide was flowing out like a fast river. Once over to Hayling it was various lanes and then across the Hayling bridge using the cyclepath. Then we took a path along the waterfront passing a Swan keen to peck anybody passing within range, definitely a Swan with an attitude problem.

We came out near Havant and then back to Emsworth for tea. Although only 3.00 the Greenhouse Cafe was closing so we moved across the road to Heidi’s which stays open until 4.00.

After tea the return route was on the main road apart from a loop on lanes via Prinstead.

From and back to Chichester distance was 45 miles. My mileage from Pagham was 56.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:00 BST

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The weather today was fairly pleasant, sunny with light winds and temperatures up to 11C

Colin led the ride and a good turnout was attracted. Colin was joined by Linda, Chris, Anne, Jeff, and Rex.

Posted by RideLeader at 22:15 BST

Updated: Monday, 22 March 2010 10:09 BST

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After recent weeks the weather today was fairly pleasant with light winds and temperatures reaching springtime levels of 12C.

Harvey led the ride and was joined by Sue Howe, Alan and Liz and newcomers Barry Marchant and John Parkinson.

Posted by RideLeader at 21:14 BST

Updated: Tuesday, 16 March 2010 23:15 BST

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