Bognor Chichester CTC Ride Notes- Club Website is at www.bognorchichesterctc.org.uk
Sunday, 21 October 2007
Sunday 21st October. Ride to the AGM at West Stoke.
This ride was led by a number of leaders.Freda led us to West Stoke, I led the group to tea at Bosham and Arthur led the group from Bosham back to Chichester.
12 of us started from the Cross, Edwin, Freda, Jim, Alan, Liz, Dave, Jan, Adrian Baker, Arthur, Lynn and Jeff.It was a beautiful clear and sunny day with temperatures reaching about 14 C. This made a nice change from recent years for the AGM when it has usually been wet and windy.
Freda led us up to the Centurion Way and then on back lanes lined with trees starting to turn Autumn gold against a backdrop of deep blue skies. We arrived at West Stoke village hall soon after 10.00 and Arthur and Lynn prepared teas and coffees.Colin, Linda, Ann and Eric came direct by bike and Christiane Baker and Phil and Mary arrived by car making a total of 19 at the AGM.
Despite the new provisions brought out by the CTC we got through all the business very quickly in about an hour and 10 minutes.Phil was elected Club Chairman, I was elected Secretary, Alan was elected Treasurer, Dave was elected Social Secretary, Phil was elected Registration Officer, Philippa was elected Promotions Officer (Publicity) Avryl was elected Welfare Officer and Arthur and Linda were elected Committee members. Avryl, Philippa and Linda were new Committee members and Richard decided to leave the Committee.
After a picnic lunch in the hall I led the group on the back lanes to Funtington and then Watery Lane to West Ashling and then down to Bosham for tea. Graham Young met us at Bosham and rode back with us to Chichester via the road round the harbour.
A perfect blue sky autumn day for exploring the developing cycle network on the Manhood Peninsula, the triangle of land south of Chichester blessed with more sunshine than north of the downs , and it's flat!
There were 13 out during the day. At the Cross Jeff was joined by Arthur, Lynn, Alan, Liz, Russell, Adrian, Colin, Avryl and Gill. Edwin joined at lunchtime after a Time Trial and Dave and Jan joined at Sidlesham on the way back
Heading out along Salterns Way, only one wrong turning to West Wittering then along the greensward with the sea on our right to tea and scones at the East Wittering cafe where the 10 mile charity run and walk was finishing.
Cycling along the shingle sea wall to Selsey avoided all the busy roads and lunch at the Lifeboat Inn or on the sea wall was a good place to lap up the sun.
As the Selsey to Chichester cycle route only reaches the Pagham Information Centre (from Chichester at present) a route was followed trying to avoid as much of the busy road as possible. From the information centre, the mainly off road route was a joy to use with a finish at the ChichesterCanalBasin for coffee and jaffa cakes.
Saturday Ride: Bognor library to the Look-Sea Centre, Littlehampton
Another Saturday ride forming part of the WSCC Walks & Rides programme.
The weather was not particularly condusive for a good turn out; although mild, the morning consisted of light rain which got heavier as the start time approached.
However, 2 members turned up to ride - Avril, and Debbie from Bognor CC, and just as we were due to leave the rain stopped and the sun came out. By the time we got to our destination it turned into a really pleasant warm afternoon.
Our route was via by-roads and backstreets through Bognor, Felpham and Middleton, to Yapton, and then Horsemere Green Lane.
We then joined the cycle path at Ford Lane to its finish at Tesco Littlehampton, where we crossed the main road with some caution, then under the railway to Wick, around some more backstreets to end up at Terminus Place, then alongside the river to the look-Sea centre.
After refreshments and inspecting the free part of the displays at the centre, our return took us over the footbridge to Climping School, and down to the beach at Bailiffscourt for a return along the foreshore to Elmer, then back on the roads to Middleton, Summerley, Felpham, and Bognor.
Unfortunately the alternative field route behind the beach (which it appears is to become "permissive" shortly) had been ploughed up making it completely impassable for bikes and we had no alternative but to stay along the beach, which inevitably involved some short stretches of walking. Nonetheless a pleasant afternoon's ride.
Sunday 7th September. Ride to the Foresters, Kirdford.
Today I was still not quite over a chesty cold so I opted to take the train to Billingshurst and rode direct to the lunch stop from there.
Colin led the ride from Walberton Pond and he was joined at the start by Gill, Anne, Harvey and Keith.The weather during the morning was clear and sunny on the coast but misty and cloudy from the Downs inland.The weather cleared to warm sunshine later in the afternoon with temperatures up to 17 C.
The riders stopped for elevenses at Wiggonholt and then continued via West Chiltington and Billingshurst.En route the riders met up with some of the riders from the Arun Adur Section.At the pub we met up with members of the Horsham Section.All of the three Sections met at Kirdford as part of the Val and Charles Memorial Ride.Alan and Liz joined us at Kirdford after riding direct from Wiggonholt.
After lunch we took a route due south from Kirdford and then a side road towards Little Bognor.As we climbed a very steep hill my chain suddenly snapped.I managed to get one foot unclipped but didn't manage the other foot and unfortunately toppled over in the wrong direction.While I recuperated Colin helped out by shortening and rejoining the chain.We continued via Coldwaltham to stop for tea at Wiggonholt where we met up with Arun Adur and Alan and Liz.
After tea I returned home by train from Pulborough.The rest of the group rode back via the Khyber Pass to Arundel.
My mileage for the day was 30 so the mileage of the main group must have been much higher.
Sunday 30th September 2007: Chichester Cross to Portchester Castle
There was an excellent turn out for this ride, despite heavy rain just before 9.30am catching many of the 11 riders en route to the Cross. Fortunately the rain died away after we set off, and more or less stayed off for the remainder of the day.
We set off down West street and headed via some fairly hilly backroads through Woodmancote, Rowland's Castle, Horndean and Catherington. Despite the fact that the rain had stopped, many of the lanes were still wet from trees dripping onto them and there was a lot of debris washed onto them by the rain.
We stopped for elevenses at Lott's cafe in Hambledon where we we packed out the tiny dining area almost to capacity. We enjoyed well deserved refeshment inside whilst a puncture was repaired outside.
We then set off west via lanes through the Forest of Bere. After crossing the B2177 at Staple's Cross we climbed up the north side of Portsdown hill, pausing at the top to admire the view of the harbour and Nelson's monument. After this it was a quick descent down into Portchester.
Some of us ate in The Cormorant pub whilst the others had sandwiches sitting in the grounds of the castle, as it was now quite warm and sunny. After lunch we all met up again and the group made their way back to Chichester via backroads.
Six members met at the Cross for the 7 am start of the 100 mile ride to north Hampshire: Linda, Ann, Gill, Colin and Mary and Phil. We took a direct route to Funtington, then over the hill and up the valley to Compton. We turned left after Compton and crossed over into the Finchdean Valley, then climbed the steep hill and descended to Chalton. We continued past Butser farm to the A3, then passed the Hoggs Lodge to descend to Clanfield where we met Christine at the Rising Sun. From Clanfield, we continued to the Bat and Ball, then climbed to the Meon Ridge, passed the Sustainability Centre, then descended to the Meon Fly Fishery.
Christine had suggested the Fly Fishery for breakfast as it is open from 8:30 am and provides bacon baps and home baked muffins on Sunday mornings in a delightful setting by the pools. We met Adrian and Bill (another Portsmouth rider) at the Fly Fishery and dug into the bacon and egg baps and muffins, washed down with tea and coffee.
Fortified, we continued past East and West Meon to Warnford and then took the road by the Watercress beds to climb Wheely Down and then turn right through Kilmeston and Cheriton. We turned left through Tichbourne to skirt New Alresford to the south, then headed north to East Stratton, crossed the M3 to West Stratton, then continued to Micheldeaver station. From there, we went north towards Whitchurch, but missed the left turn and came out on the B3400 at Laverstoke. Since this was on our route to Overton, we then turned right and continued to Overton where we stoppped for lunch in the town square. There is a convenience store where you can buy sandwiches and two or three pubs though the only one tried did not serve food on Sundays. Gill was feeling a bit under the weather at his point and headed back to Micheldeaver station to catch a train home.
From Overton we headed south east through North Waltham to Axford with the wind now against us, then turned right through Preston Candover, crossed Bugmore Hill and dropped through Old Alresford to New Alresford where we stopped for tea at the tea rooms at the back of the Swan Inn.
From New Alresford we continued east towards Ropley Dean and the dropped south to West Meon, then East Meon. Christine, Bill and Adrian left at this point to continue south, whilst the remaining five riders, followed the road past Ramsdean to cross the A3 south of Petersfied and drop into Buriton. Up the steep hill from Buriton we climbed, and then descended through the forrest to Finchdean and Rowlands Castle where we stopped outside the convenience store to fortify ourselves for the last 10 miles.
From Rowlands Castle, we took the road to Westbourne then the usual route back to Chichester except for a minor diversion at the end to ensure Linda's milometer stopped at the right number - 100.5 miles!
Sunday 16 September. Ride to Washington near Storrington.
I joined our leader Colin at the Pond and we were joined by Harvey, Linda, Gill and 2 riders from Portsmouth DA, Christine and Bill who had decided to give our Sunday rides a go because the Portsmouth Sunday rides were too fast.
The weather was sunny with scattered clouds for most of the day, only clouding over about tea time.Temperatures reached about 18 C.
Colin took us on the route via Madehurst and then down Houghton hill and then across to Bury.We then cycled on the back roads to Coldwaltham and then over to Wiggonholt for elevenses.Colin then showed us a very good route away from the traffic on by roads to the north of Storrington.We took the foot tunnel under the A24 and then on to the Franklin Arms for lunch.
The route back took us on more backroads with a foot tunnel over the A24 and then a lane bringing us out to the north of Storrington and then back lanes through the town and over to Pareham Park.We returned via Coldwaltham and Bury to Houghton Bridge for tea.
We returned to Walberton and the mileage for the day from and back to Walberton was 46.My mileage was 64.
For today's ride we met at Petersfield railway station for a ride through the Hampshire lanes led by Avryl.I rode up to Petersfield taking a route to Funtington and then Compton and Harting.On the way I saw numerous signs for a Cycle Sportive and I started to be overtaken by large groups of road cyclists on very lightweight road bikes.It appears this is a new event called the Southern Sportive based on Petersfield and with various loops taking in lanes between Petersfield, Midhurst and Chichester.There were routes available of 155K, 112K and 71K. Every road junction had an arrow marking the route.
11 of us met at Petersfield. I was joined by Avryl, Linda, Gill, Russell, Steve, Adrian, Diana, Richard and Phil and Mary.Phil and Mary were wearing their Paris Brest cycling shirts and we congratulated them on their achievement and found out about their aches and pains.
The weather started cloudy but soon cleared to bright sunshine interrupted by the occasional cloudy interval.Temperatures were warm reaching about 21C.
Avryl lead us out of Petersfield and on to the lane towards East Meon.Before the village we headed up the hill to HMS Mercury and went to the Sustainability Centre for elevenses.Unfortunately they had had a burglary a few days before and the tea shop was closed.We made do with a rest on the seats in the warm sunshine.Diana left us at this point and headed back to Petersfield.The rest of us headed on along the ridge with views down to the Meon Valley on one side and Portsmouth on the other.We then headed down on a network of really quiet narrow country lanes eventually reaching the Horse and Jockey pub at Hipley for lunch.
Adrian headed straight back to Portsmouth after lunch and the rest of us continued on more quiet lanes to Denmead and then across to Clanfield.We then had a long gradual climb up to Butser Hill.At the junction we rode straight on to the car park at the top and then a track leading on to the very top of the hill with views in all directions.We then headed down and took the very steep descent back down towards the Meon Valley.Part way down the lane we turned into The Harvester Tea Rooms.This is a large converted barn with tables outside in the garden and great views across the fields and hills.
After tea we headed back on the lane to Petersfield.The rest of the group had cars at Petersfield Station.Phil and Mary and I cycled back.We rode across to Buriton up the very steep hill and then back via Rowlands Castle and Westbourne.
The route from and back to Petersfield was 35 miles.My mileage for the day was 81.