Bognor Chichester CTC Ride Notes- Club Website is at www.bognorchichesterctc.org.uk
Sunday, 7 October 2007
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.
For today's ride all the various Sections of the West Sussex DA met at Pulborough Station for the Arun Crossings Ride led by Colin, the last DA Event of the year.A total of 14 turned out for the event from all Sections with some leaving part way through the event and others joining at elevenses or lunch.From Bognor Regis and Chichester there was myself, Colin, Russell, Gill and Alan and Liz.The 40 points gained were sufficient to gain us the Cup for the Section with the best attendance at DA events.The individual cup is shared three ways between members of all the Sections.The cup goes to John Wiggins, Edwin Jones and Bob Moore.The cup for the best lady goes to Elizabeth Tyler.
The weather was fairly good with some frequent sunny spells especially during the morning and dry all day and temperatures reaching about 20 C.
Two of those attending, a guest Tracey Slade and Anton Brown from Horsham Section rode on narrow tired road bikes and managed exceptionally well over the rough terrain.
Colin took us over an exceptionally interesting route with many new tracks we had not seen in previous events.Most of us had no idea where we were for most of the time.We took a loop round coming out at Stopham Bridge and crossing both the new bridge and the old bridge.Then it was more tracks with some long climbs up to the road going towards the Menses.Then more tracks across to South of Wisborough Green and on for elevenses at Penelope's cafe.Peter Wilson left us here and we were joined by Gill and Russell.
After elevenses it was more tracks taking us north eventually to Gibbons Mill and then on to The Blue Ship, The Haven for lunch.Here we met up with other members of Horsham Section who were riding just on the road.Anne and Liz also joined us here for the route down to the tea stop.
More tracks and a different route took us back down to Penelope's for tea.After tea there was again a different route and many more tracks back down to Pulborough Station.
The distance for the route was 35 miles and my mileage for the day was 45 miles in total.
This was a long weekend away on the Isle of Wight exploring bridleways and tracks. The trip was arranged by John Maxim over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Those taking part were myself, John, Jeff and Colin. We lucked out with the weather as after weeks of dull cool days it changed just in time to clear blue skies and temperatures up to 25C.
We took a train to Portsmouth and then the car ferry to Fishbourne. At Wootton we were straight on to tracks across to Havenstreet and then more bridleways to Newport. We stopped at a Pub on the edge of Newport doing breakfasts for £1.75 which we had for lunch.
Then a long gradual climb up the Tennyson trail with wide views across the Island and over to the mainland. The trail is similar to the South Downs Way with a good wide graveled trail. Further west we headed down on tracks and backroads to Yarmouth for tea. There are some good tearooms by the Pier. Then on to our Hotel at Freshwater.
Sunday 26 August.
Another sunny warm day. We stoked up with a good breakfast and John supplied us with route sheets for the day. John had delayed handing out the route sheets until this morning to avoid disturbing our sleep.The reason became clear as we looked at the route sheets.The route had been downloaded from the Internet from the Extremists Mountainbike Club.One quote from the introduction is especially relevant “ at over 50 miles, it is designed to be covered by the very fittest of riders in one day or more likely two days for lesser mortals”.A route nearly all off road is equivalent to twice the distance on road.
Jeff and I were considering taking a shorter route for a more relaxed day.However we set out together and were soon on tracks through the golf course and a gradual climb up from FreshwaterBay to Compton Down.There were superb views behind us of the deep blue sea against the white cliffs of Tennyson Down.
After a few ups and downs it was clear that the more relaxed pace being taken by Jeff and I would prevent John and Colin from completing the ride in a reasonable time.We decided to split up at that point.Jeff and I used the route sheet and maps to follow part of the route before cutting it short.
We continued along the Tennyson Trail with great views down over the south coast to the blue sea.We continued on the ridge turning off on to the Worsley Trail.We descended to Shorwell after getting lost just above the village.We stopped for lunch in the village at a pleasant pub.With time getting on we decided to ride as far as Hoys monument on St Catherine's Down before heading back on the road.
After more trails across fields we were heading down a chalk descent when I lost control trying to avoid a thorn branch and fell off.I escaped with a couple of grazes and numerous bruises.We continued with a long steep climb to the Monument erected in 1814 to honor a visit by the Tsar of Russia.We then left the official route to head down to Chale and the road back.The track down started with a near vertical descent.The route then took us into a narrow gully with deep mud at the bottom which we were unable to avoid.After getting through this we saw another gully ahead of us and decided to get under an electric fence into the field to avoid more mud.We then rode down and had to get over the electric fence again to get back onto the route.Jeff was okay but while getting over I touched my leg against the fence and got a severe jolt and another one as I jumped back in reaction.Jeff was a little startled by my screams.
After a few hundred yards we were back on tarmac and we both decided we had had enough of off-road for the day and we returned on the round the Island cycle route.We had a very pleasant tea stop at Brightstone tearooms.
Mileage for the day was 31.John and Colin returned a little later at about 7.00 but did very well to complete the full 50 mile route with 4500 feet of climbing.My experiences provided some good dinnertime conversation along the lines of an electrifying day out.
Monday 27th August
For our return ride we tried out some new trails from Freshwater.Unfortunately these included some goopy muddy sections before we got to the ridge and headed along the Tennyson Trail to Newport.We stopped in town for lunch in a pub.Then a very steep climb on the Bembridge Trail to St Georges Down.At a junction in the trail Jeff couldn't get his foot out due to a stiff cleat and fell over in front of an audience of about 20 Ramblers.After treating Jeff's grazes we continued but Jeff decided to return direct to the ferry on the road to avoid further problems with his cleats.The rest of us continued on some fairly good graveled trails down to Havenstreet and then across to Wootton and the ferry home.
Mileage on the island was 25 and my mileage by the time I returned home was 31.
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at 15:38 BST
