I led the ride starting from Chichester, Cross to Wisborough Green.  I was joined at the start by Avryl, Anne and Russell.  We were joined at the picnic by the Walberton Pond group of Harvey, Steve and Alan and Liz.  Nicola Bruce and Christine rode direct to join us at the picnic making a total of 11 on the day.

The weather was again perfect, with clear blue skies and temperatures hot and humid up to about 27 C.

From Chichester, I led the group up the Centurion way to Lavant, and then up the hill to Goodwood Racecourse.  There were some signs of the winding down from Glorious Goodwood, which had finished the previous day.

We continue taking the ridge route along the top of the Downs underneath the shade of the woods at Selhurst Park, and then views down to the coast.  We continued on the Petworth Road over Duncton Hill and then back roads via Shopham Bridge to stop for elevenses at Petworth.  Tiffins was closed so we continued to the nearby Saddlers cafe.  We continued via Balls Cross and Kirdford to Wisborough Green.

We settled for our picnic under the shade of a substantial tree on the Green opposite The Cricketers Inn.  The rest of the group soon joined us and also another 11 from Arun Adur and eight from Horsham.  We welcomed Alec Rothney who was down on holiday in the area.

In the afternoon the Chichester and Walberton Pond groups joined together to ride back on the lane and then across the fields towards Pulborough.  We continued via Amberley, to stop for tea at Houghton Bridge

We then headed back different ways with most of us heading up Houghton hill.

My mileage for the day was 61.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:03 BST

Updated: Sunday, 5 August 2007 22:08 BST

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We met at Bognor library for this years ride for a beach picnic on Climping Beach.  The weather was ideal with unbroken clear blue skies and temperatures up to 25C.

I led the ride and I was joined at the library by Jo, Val and Roy Wasdell.  Alan and Liz and Julian and his wife joined us at the beach.

The ride was on cycle paths and backroads across to Felpham, Middleton and Elmer.  We then took a path along the beach and through field to the beach at Climping.  We stopped there for an hour and a half for the picnic and for some members to swim.

We took a similar but more direct route back and stopped for an ice cream at Felpham seafront.

12 miles for the day.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:57 BST

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Harvey led this ride starting from Walberton Pond and was joined by Edwin, Russell, Avryl and Christine.  Alan and Liz, Linda and John Maxim, joined us at the pub making a total of nine out during the day.

The weather was dry with a mixture of cloud and sunny spells and temperatures reaching 20 C.

Harvey led us via Madehurst and Whiteways and then down Houghton hill to Wiggonholt for elevenses.

We continued on a lane to the north of Storrington and a paved footpath to West Chiltington and a stop for lunch at the Elephant and Castle.

Alan and Liz made their own way back and the rest of us returned towards Houghton.  Just as we passed Wiggonholt, we had to do some quick avoiding action to miss a grass snake wriggling across the road, which managed to survive being run over by Linda's bike.  We continued via Amberley, to stop for tea at Houghton Bridge.  We returned home via the climb of Houghton hill.

My mileage for the day was 51.

Edwin for Harvey

Posted by RideLeader at 21:08 BST

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Weather today was bright and sunny, with scattered clouds and a westerly wind.  Temperatures reached 18 C.

I led the ride and I was joined at the Cross by Linda, Christine and Russell.  Adrian later joined us at elevenses.

We headed west on Clay Lane, and then took Watery Lane to Funtington.  As we rode up Watery Lane, a Duck was walking up the lane with a brood of about six half grown chicks behind.  We decided that all of the chicks had survived due to the recent abundance of water.

We continued by taking the B-road towards Compton.  All along this road coming towards us at regular intervals, fast cyclists on time trial bikes rode by.  They were taking part in the Chichester Triathlon.

We arrived at Compton Post Office soon after 11.00.  Adrian joined us a few minutes later.  The hot water machine had broken down, so we made do with cold drinks.

The long gradual climb up Harting Hill was followed by a swift descent to Harting Village.  We then rode along parallel to the South Downs eastward via Elstead, with a strong tail wind to Stedham.  Lunch was taken at the Hamilton Arms where Colin joined us.  He was leader of the Walberton pond ride but nobody else had chosen to join him.

After lunch, Adrian headed back to Portsmouth the way we had come.  Linda went to see a friend who lived nearby.  The remaining four of us rode back via Bepton and Cocking.  We stopped for tea at West Dean, and then headed back to Chichester on the Centurion Way.

My mileage for the day was 49.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 17:31 BST

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Another evening ride, another evening of poor weather.

The day had been quite promising - sunny skies and light winds - but in keeping with the entire summer so far, the evening  brought  black clouds, fresh winds, and an ever present threat of rain.

Not surprisingly then that only 3 of us set out from The Fox - Julain, Jo, and myself.

 From Felpham we headed out through Yapton, to Ford Lane, then Tortington via Ford Station before plunging into the dark track running through Scotland Woods, reaching the mysterious "Madonna Pond", where the tarmac runs out and a very rough surface takes over.

Rejoining the tarmac at Binsted Manor, it was a short sprint to the Black Horse, which we managed to make just before the rain started.

Edwin joined us fresh from time trialling as we adjourned into the dry.

About 45 minutes later however the rain had stopped so we ventured homeward direct via Beam Ends, North End, and back to Yapton and Middleton.  We beat the rain to complete the ride in the dry. The round trip mileage for the evening was 19.3.

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 00:03 BST

Updated: Thursday, 26 July 2007 00:15 BST

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Five of us met at the Cross, for the long ride across into Hampshire.  These were myself (Edwin), Colin, Adrian, Linda and Anne.

Rain had been forecast for the morning, but we escaped all the showers, some of which came quite close.  There was a good north easterly wind to blow us out to the pub and the weather was humid, with temperatures up to 23C.

I led the group out via Westbourne and Rowlands Castle, and then a stop for elevenses at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park Cafe.

We then climbed up to Butser Hill followed by a steep descent into the Meon Valley, with great views on the way down.  This was followed by another climb up to HMS Mercury, and then a short way along the Ridge before a long descent into the Meon Valley and lunch at the Shoe in Exton.

We arrived at 12.15 just in time before the rush of Sunday lunch diners.  We had lunch in the garden adjacent to the Meon River and listened to loud claps of thunder over the Downs just to the east, and a heavy downpour was visible just a few miles away.

After lunch I led the group on a backroad adjacent to the main road down the Meon Valley to Soberton.  Then on lanes across to Hambledon.  After leaving the Meon Valley we left behind dry roads to come across many wet roads and puddles as evidence of the recent downpour.  We continued on more backroads to Catherington with a very steep but short hill.  Then onwards to Horndean and Rowlands Castle, where we had planned to stop for tea.  However a notice on the door, advised us that the tea rooms were closed for the day due to staff illness.  We decided to go on to Stansted Garden Centre Cafe where we stoked up with tea and cakes.

Then on and back to Chichester via Funtington and West Stoke, with more evidence of recent heavy downpours.

Mileage from and back to the Cross was 59.  My mileage was 71.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:12 BST

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Five riders met at the Cross being Alan and Liz, Freda and Jim and Avryl.

The ride was down as nominate the leader on the day and Alan and Freda shared the lead.

The group rode across to Emsworth for a stop there for elevenses, and then rode on to Rowlands Castle.  There they found that the tea rooms were closed for the day due to staff illness.  The group had sandwiches with them, and lunch was taken on the Green.

In the afternoon the riders headed back catching just the tail end of one shower.  Tea was taken at Hilliers Garden Centre cafe near Bosham.

Edwin for Alan and Freda.

Posted by RideLeader at 22:03 BST

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Weather today was warm sunny and dry with scattered clouds building up more in the afternoon.

One of the 2 alternative rides today was to Arundel and 7 joined this ride led by Alan. The other alternative was to train or car to Three Bridges and join Horsham Section for their ride to see the Tour de France come through at Tonbridge. I took the train up and Avryl came by car. 6 members from Horsham Section were out and many of them led or backmarked at various stages in a good co-operative effort.

The route was excellent, introducing us to a new area with scenic lanes and paths. A short ride from the station and we were on the Worth Way Cycle route on an old railpath to East Grinstead. This was dry and in good condition despite recent rains.

We then headed east on very pleasant quiet byroads via Cowden and then Penshurst for elevenses. We got to the Tea Rooms just in time before about 25 riders from the SW London Road Club packed the place out.

We took a cycle route through Penshurst Park and then across to Tonbridge and the start of a hill up to Southborough where we settled to watch the Tour come through. The weird and wonderful vehicles of the Tour Caravan were first through with more free stuff thrown at the crowd. I got a reusable carrier bag.

The Tour came through about 1.00 with 5 in a breakaway group including David Millar and the main group 5 minutes later with the CSC team at the front riding hard to keep the race together.

One of the best parts of the day was riding on in the wake of the Tour with roads still closed and barriered off and traffic lights all turned off. We continued on this normally busy main road for about 4 miles through Southborough and on to Tunbridge Wells. We received a rousing cheer from a big group at a roadside Pub. Horsham Section members mentioned the trouble they went to in order to put on a good Sunday ride for guests!!

We continued to Groombridge and a stop at the Pub there. Then the Forest Way, another rail path, back to East Grinstead and then the Worth Way back to Three Bridges.

52 miles from and back to Three Bridges.

NOTE - Scroll down for pictures of the day and a report on the Arundel Ride by Adrian. Scroll down further for a report and more pictures on the Prologue in London on Saturday.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:24 BST

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