Saturday 7 July. The Start gate in Whitehall

Saturday 7 July. A rider speeds down Whitehall

Saturday 7 July. David Millar rounds the corner with Big Ben behind

Saturday 7 July. Bradley Wiggins powers round the corner at Westminster

Evening Ride: Felpham to The George, Eartham

For the 2nd time this year (this ride was originally scheduled for April), the ride to Eartham was cancelled due to heavy rain.

So far this season, the evening rides programme has been decimated by bad weather; I had to go back a month (to 6 June) to find a ride that took place in reasonable weather conditions.

 

Graham.

Sunday 1 July. 2 Weald Ride.

 

 July started in the same vein as June with the weather wet and windy.

 

I opted to take the train up to Billingshurst and then rode a few miles to Wisborough Green for the event start. A mile before the village Colin rode by in the other direction riding the eastern route.

 

By the Green Horsham Section members had put up a small shelter which helped against the rain. Last year on the same day it was shelter from a blazing sun and temperatures of 33C.

 

I met up there with John Maxim, John Wickens and Sue Howe and we decided to do the northern route. Guests turned up from West Surrey DA, Chris Juden, technical advisor at CTC HQ with his family. They rode the southern route.

 

The 2 Johns Sue and I headed north getting a dry interlude to reach Cranleigh and a stop for elevenses at the Garden Centre. There were 4 riders there from West Kent DA. The rain started again while we had elevenses and on and off as we headed back south via Plaistow and Kirdford.

 

Back at Wisborough Green we met up with Colin and were later joined by Dave Fox and Dave Galle who had arrived just after we left and also rode the northern route.

 

Considering the weather on the day there was a good turnout with 20 taking part. There were 8 from Horsham, 5 from Arun Adur and 2 from Bognor. The DA Events points competition is now very close with 2 Events left for the year. With 10 points for each rider completing an Event the totals are now 210 for Bognor/Chichester, 190 for Horsham and 180 for Arun Adur. The full results are on the DA Website.

 

I headed back by train. Soon after Arundel the dark clouds gave way to blue skies over the coast. For me 38 miles for the day.

 

Edwin 

Sunday 1 July. Sue Howe, John Maxim and Chris Juden and his wife

Evening ride - Felpham Start

This ride was planned to run to Donnington, but the three of us that turned up at the Felpham start - Julian, Chris, and myself - decided that the poor riding conditions and usettled weather were not condusive to what is quite a long ride for an evening start, additionally for the whole way out, we would be battling against a strong head wind.

We therefore decided to abandon the Donnington route in favour of a short, 10 mile circuit that would avoid the worst of the wind by tacking against it in an anti clockwise direction.  In the absence of a report from the Chichester start, we assume that too was similarly abandoned.

 Our ten miles took us on an adventurous cross country route  to Barnham and then to Lidsey via 3 stiles and a foot crossing of the railway, making me wonder if perhaps the route to Donnington would not have been so bad afer all.

However from Lidsey we went straight back to Felpham via Shripney, to return still in daylight, and  before the rain started.

 

Graham.

Midsummer Evening Ride

To reflect the longer daylight hours, the ride this evening, out to the Angelsey Arms at Halnaker, was one of the longest in the clubs programme. Unfortunately, the weather did not live up to expectations, being overcast and windy, with the threat of heavy rain forecast.  This probably accounted for why only 3 of us - Edwin, Jo , and myself - met up at the Fox, Felpham.

We set out round the back of Bognor, to Bersted, where we picked up the Chichester-Bognor cyclepath, which we followed to Colworth, before branching off towards Oving. Then it was via Woodhorn crossing and across Tangmere Airfield, crossing the A27 at Boxgrove, and straight up through the village to Halnaker, to complete an uneventful ride in just under the hour. The Chichester group - again only 3 - had, once again, beaten us to it.

For the return ride we dropped down through Boxgrove, crossed the A27 then followed it heading east along the parallel  cycle track, to East Hampnett, then round the loop to emerge at Aldingbourne and the Island at Wetergate. 

At this point Edwin and John, who rode back with us from the Chichester contingent, decided to beat the very threatening black clouds and sprint down the A29 to Bognor, leaving just Jo and myself to carry on back to Felpham via Barnham and Yapton. However we made it to Middleton before the rain started to come down, and by the time we got back to the Fox it had eased off again. It was to be a further hour before the rain really made itself known, so we were lucky to get away with it.

Mileage from and back to, the Fox, was 20.2.

Graham

 

 

Sunday 17 June. Strawberry Tea Ride.

Weather today was cloudy but dry with some sun in the afternoon. Temperatures reached 20C.

I led the ride and I was joined by 10 more at the Cross, Phil, Mary, Gill, Ann, Avryl, Harvey, Ernie, Linda, Freda and Jim. Alan and Liz and Adrian joined us at Hooksway and Arthur, Lynn and Kath at Avryl's for tea. 17 in total were out during the day, could the Strawberries have been a draw?

I led the group out on the cycle trail to Fishbourne and then direct to Bosham village for elevenses. We then took lanes via West Ashling where some geese wandered in the road by the pond and took exception to my disputing road space and hissed quite viciously.

We continued up Watery Lane to Funtington and then across to Walderton and Stoughton. Then continuing on the quiet wooded lane to East Marden and a sharp climb to the ridge. A short way along the B road and we turned off on the very steep descent down to Hooksway for lunch. We had not visited the Pub for many years and it made for a very pleasant stop.

The afternoon ride involved a few lumps starting with the steep climb back up the hill. Then down to Chilgrove and left on the undulating back road with hardly a car seen and lush green woods and fields. Also the giant boulders to spot, a bit like big snowballs sculpted as part of a culture trail across the West Dean Estate.

We reached the main road and headed south on the Centurion Way where in parts we just squeezed through the rampant vegetation overgrowing the trail. Then down to Tangmere via Lavant.

Avryl had laid tables and chairs out ready. The tables were soon seemingly groaning under the weight of great bowls piled high with Strawberries with cream and biscuits added. Some of us felt obliged to get though 3 helpings to make some impression on the strawberries.

After 1 1/2 hours at Avryl's we made our ways home. My mileage for the day was 44.

Edwin

Sunday, 10 June, 9am Chichester Cross start

Five left the Cross at 9am for the ride to Lurgashall - Phil (on a solo!), Edwin, Anne, Chris, and Russell. Following a hot Saturday, we anticipated another hot day and liberally applied suncream before we started. We travelled east to Maudlin, then climbed the long hill to Pillygreen, to cross the Goodwood ridge and descend to East Dean. It appeared we had turned into the farmyard at the bottom of the hill and Phil regretted not having mudguards instead of green speckled ankles.

We continued to Duncton Hill, turning right at the bottom and taking the usual road to Petworth where we stopped for our morning break at the tea shop just off the square (Tiffins was closed). From here, we took the Kirdford Road beyond to Balls Cross, then followed a delightful lane that brought us out to the main road just south of Northchapel. We continued north and then east on the road to Lurgashall.

 The Noah's Ark is in a delightful setting by the cricket pitch. We bought drinks, but having checked out the menu, Phil and Edwin opted instead for a sandwich from the post office across the road. We were on the road again soon after 12:30pm and headed south to half-way bridge, crossing the main road to reach Selham (where Chris left heading east) then headed west towards Heyshott, then followed the rough track through to Cocking. We climbed Cocking Hill then descended to West Dean for tea with a portion of bread and butter pudding for the sandwhich buyers.

Anne turned into the College and the rest continued down the Centurion Way to Chichester. Edwin and Phil took the canal path down towards Hunston and met the Witterings Group (plus Sam) and stopped for a short chat before continuing down the tow-path. This final stage was interrupted by a puncture, but the setting was so pleasant, we quite enjoyed the enforced delay.

Phil

Sunday 10 June. Lurgashall Ride group on a lane near Balls Cross

Sunday 10 June. Witterings Ride group at Chichester Canal Basin.

Saturday Ride - Bognor Regis Library to Aldingbourne country Centre

The temperature today was just over 20 degrees, wind speed about 9mph - comfortable cycling conditions, sunny and with no threat of rain.

Despite this, and the promotion of the ride in the WSCC Walks and Rides booklet, there were no attenders at the start point.

I met with Alan and Liz who had been planning to tag onto the ride en route to visit family in Littlehampton; however when we realised no one was going to turn up they decided to go direct to Littlehampton along the coast, so we all went our separate directions.

 Graham

 

Thursday 7 June. Chichester start to Barnham

I led this ride in place of Phil who was unable to make it. Weather was warm and sunny. Only John turned up so I was able to take a longer hillier route.

We headed up the Centurion Way to Lavant. Then across on lanes to Halnacker. After a short way up the main road we cut across to the Eartham road. Up to Eartham and then down to the Slindon Bottom Road through the woods. Then the tunnel under the A27 to Fontwell, down to Walberton and then Barnham to the Murrell Arms.

Graham arrived soon after we did with Chris and Janet and we returned with them via Yapton.

30 miles for me for the evening

Edwin

Evening Ride - Felpham to The Murrell Arms, Barnham

The weather this evening was warm, with a light breeze - perfect cycling weather. Despite the favourable conditions, and the promise of a short ride, only 3 of us met at the Fox Inn: Janet, Chris,  and myself .

I decided to keep the ride as off-road as possible, so we headed out through Felpham churchyard, then the Community College grounds, up to the golf club and the Roundle Estate where we took a back alley to Hoe Lane at Flansham. From there it was off road all the way as we tok the route of the proposed cycle path across the fields and over the River Rife to Barnham Church. The route has clearly been subject to some preliminary works as the footpaths have been diverted, streams culverted, and vegetation recently trimmed back. However although rideable throughout, there is still an awful lot to do and an all-weather surface would make this a really excellent route, passing as it does through some very unspoilt countryside.

As we approached Barnham, we stopped to inspect the remains of Hollinsworth swing bridge across the abandoned Portsmouth-Arundel canal at Church Lane, we then diverted 300 yards or so to Barnham Court farm, to inspect the unearthed  remains of Stewart Bridge. Both these iron swing bridges were forged in 1820, but fell out of use after the canal became impassable in c.1856, and were buried where they collapsed. Archeological digs by the canal society in 2003 unearthed this well preserved ironmongery.

From here it was a short sprint to the Murrell Arms, where we met the Chichester contingent (both of them), also just arriving.

The return trip stuck rigidly to tarmac, running via Yapton (where Chris left us for Littlehampton), and Middleton.  The entire Chichester group decided to ride with us all the way back to Felpham, and their influence led to some lively running, indeed I arrived home before dark.

The modest mileage for the evening was 12.

 

Graham

Sun 3 June. Reliability Ride from Wiggonholt

Weather today was warm and sunny all day with temperatures up to 25C in complete contrast to last weekends rain and gales

Today was a DA Event being a 25 mile Reliability Ride starting at Wiggonholt at 11.30 and finishing at Wisborough Green and organised by Arun Adur.

Colin led the ride from Walberton Pond to the start joined by myself (Edwin) Harvey and Chris.

We cycled up via Madehurst and then down to Houghton. We split up there with Colin and Chris taking a longer route while Harvey and I went direct to Wiggonholt. We were joined there by Richard and Alan and Liz who brought their bikes by Car. Steve Thomas also joined us after cycling from Horsham the nearest he could get by train due to engineering work.

We were also joined at Wiggonholt by Arun Adur members and Horsham members arriving after we left. Dave Galle had worked out a very pleasant route on quiet byroads. We took in Coldwaltham, Coates, Selham, Lodsworth, Lickfold, Lurgashall, Ebernoe and Kirdford.

Lunch was taken at Penelopes Caf?, Wisborough Green. We headed back towards Wiggonholt for tea on a track and then across to Broomers Hill. Here my gears seriously jammed with the chain being forced out of one jockey wheel and the spring being damaged. I got mobile by splitting and then rejoining the chain. After getting to Wiggonholt I took up Richards offer of a lift back.

For me 57 miles for the day.

Edwin

Sunday 3 June. Alan and Liz on the Reliability Ride. Photo by Dave Galle.

Sunday 3 June. Edwin leading a group on the Reliability Ride at Selham. Photo by Dave Galle

Evening Ride - Felpham to The Anchor, Sidlesham

A warm sunny day, but the forecast for the evening was increasing cloud followed by heavy showers. Certainly by the time this ride got underway, some very threatening clouds were in evidence, although apart from a few spots of rain for about 5 minutes on the outward trip, the entire tour was accomplished in the dry.

At the start point were myself, Julian, Edwin, and Ian.

Despite the  heavy rain of recent days, I decided to risk the route across the fields north of Pagham, via Summer Lane and South Runcton, and this paid off as we found the ground hard packed apart from a very few easily avoided puddles.  We re-joined the tarmac and proceeded by way of Fisher and Chalder, where the track had been improved with a gravel surface.  Back on tarmac again and as we passed the site of the long closed Chalder Station on the old line to Selsey, a deer was spotted in the field beside the road. On seeing us it took off rapidly, not into the distance as we expected,  but in fact ran parallel to the road, out pacing us, then leaping the fence to run across the road in front of us, easily negotiating the 4 foot fence  on the other side, before disappearing into the landscape.

We arrived at the pub some 5 or so minutes later, to meet the Chichester contingent, a modest threesome.

John who had come out with the Chichester group, decided to join us for the run back to Felpham, which stuck strictly to the road via Hunston, North Mundham, Aldwick, and Bognor.

 My mileage back to the Fox at Felpham, was 19.5.

 

Graham.