The weather forecast today was dreadful. The actual weather however, was beautiful: hot and sunny, with very little wind. That is, until this ride started.

The weather managed to turn from bright and sunny to dark and threatening in the space of about an hour from 6pm. By the time three of us met up - myself, Val, and Julian - it looked as though it might rain.

We set off on some new territory through the Glenwood and across fields to Bognor Golf Club. At this point a few drops were felt. The cycle track from Flansham to Barnham was but a short distance away so we headed for that, via the track at North Lane - a lot muddier than when we last came this way.  By the time we reached the track proper it was raining quite hard. We took the decision to press on. As we approached Barnham Church, the heavens opened and we were dripping wet by the time we reached the pub.

There some entertainment had been laid on and we listened to a 12-string guitarist and his friend on the base, running through some classic tunes with a wet weather theme (I'm sure you can guess some of the titles.) The rain stopped and the sun briefly re-appeared, before it started to get dark.

Due to the convivial atmosphere we probably stayed 10 minutes too long, as 10 minutes earlier we would have made it back in the dry. As it was, there was thunder and lightning all the way home, with the extraordinary sight of huge clouds of steam coming off the roads as they dried out. Running back via Yapton we had made it through Middleton when our luck ran out and it absolutely threw down with rain. We sprinted for home but to no avail. I would have been drier if i had jumped in a bath fully clothed.

Mileage for the evening was a very modest 10.1 - however I did curtail the ride due to the weather conditions!

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 22:58 BST

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Our plan for the weekend was to ride over to Andover, stay overnight at a B&B and then return on the Sunday. Linda had organised everything and she led us there on the Saturday and I led back on the Sunday.

We met at 9.00 at Chichester Cross, Linda, myself (Edwin) Anne, Colin and John. Adrian joined us at elevenses. Weather was cloudy with a very light drizzle which continued all day. However the heavy rain held off to evening.

Linda maintained a good brisk pace for the day taking us via Westbourne and Rowlands Castle to Chalton. We had our first animal encounter here, something which was to prove a feature of the weekend. A little puppy ran alongside the bikes. Colin stopped, worried it might follow us too far and it repaid his concern by peeing on his boots, bad dog!

 The animal theme continued after lunch as we went to collect our bikes from the barn. A Guinea Fowl ran desperately up and down seemingly trying to get back into its enclosure without much success.

We rode on north of Arlesford and then turned off onto a vicious steep climb on a backroad I had not tried before and would not plan to repeat. Then it was more gentle rolling landscape via East Stratton and Micheldever Station to stop for tea at a Pub in Whitchurch. As we were getting ready to leave one of the Pub regulars asked us where we had cycled from. When we told him from various parts of the south coast he really couldn’t believe we could have cycled that far and when we insisted we had he looked more and more bewildered. Clear proof that as Kevin Mayne told us it is a bad idea to put mileages on Rides Lists.

We soon cycled the remaining miles to the Picket Piece B&B at the small village of Picked Piece on the eastern edge of Andover. When we went to put the bikes in the garden shed we were greeted with a leisurely twitch of the ear and slow hop by the resident bunnies.

54 miles from Chichester, 60 from Pagham.

Sunday 12 July. Andover to Chichester

After a substantial Full English Breakfast to keep us going we got a good early start just before 9.00. Weather started with clear blue skies with some showers around in the morning but we generally missed these.

57 miles back to Chichester and 64 to Pagham.

Posted by RideLeader at 22:35 BST

Updated: Monday, 13 July 2009 14:31 BST

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 Weather today was mixed with threats of showers in the morning which didn’t arrive clearing to sunny skies in the afternoon. Temperatures reached about 24C.

There were 16 in all attending this DA Event but attendance from our Section was somewhat disappointing. There were 9 from Horsham, 6 from Arun Adur and just me from Bognor Chichester.

I took the train to Billingshurst, then rode the short distance to Wisborough Green, did a 26 mile loop and rode home. We all started arriving as Horsham members were putting up the Gazebo with teas coffees and cakes available from a Motor Home parked opposite belonging to a couple from Horsham Section.

Most Arun Adur members headed up towards Cranleigh on the northern loop. However I had done this for the last 3 years at least so went on the Eastern loop towards Christ’s Hospital. John Maxim was of the same mind so it was just John and I.

Normally with others riding with us this would have been at a steady Club Ride pace of about 11mph average. However John set off at about 18 mph with me just clinging on and John waiting for me after hills. We stopped for 11s at Southwater Country Park Café and a stop at Southwater Cycles, open on Sundays. We returned via Christ’s Hospital and Barnes Green. Average speed for the 26 mile loop including hills was 16.3 mph.

After lunch at the Café with some Arun Adur members including Dave Galle and his daughter Louise, John and I headed back. First it was the very steep hill over to Fittleworth. On the way down I spotted a Fox coming out of a hedge to cross the road. He spotted me and nipped back in his hedge. Then it was up Houghton Hill and down to Arundel and Tea at the Putting Green Café. Why there? Answer the large size Apple Pie they do there

John and I headed our separate ways home from Arundel. My mileage for the day was 63.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:16 BST

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A perfect evening for cycling - the temperature had touched 32 degrees in the afternoon, and stayed very warm all evening, with only the slightest breeze. However this was evidently not sufficient to tempt anyone other than myself and John (R) to the ride start point, although we were later joined by Edwin and Ernie who made their own way to the pub.

We set out by way of North Lane, adjacent to Bognor Golf Club, then joining the cycletrack to Barnham. North Lane is proposed to be the continuation of the cycle track into Felpham college campus, but the last time I went that way it was almost impassable, being very muddy and boggy underneath lush vegetation.  Recently however, it has been "improved" by cutting down all the trees and bushes, and piling rubble on the soft ground. Presumably this is not the start of cycletrack works but an attempt to provide vehicle access to "site 6", a very large residential construction site yet to be started. We noted road marker posts and surveying points all over the adjacent field.

The cycletrack to Barnham has suffered from a lack of rain this past fortnight, with the result that we threw up a lot of dust, reminding me more of some mediterranean byways than West Sussex.

From Barnham we went via Level Mare Lane and Mount Noddy, then up the hill to the pub, which was very well patronised, with a barbeque doing a roaring trade.

Edwin & John preparing to leave for home at 21.30hrs

Return route was straight down Britten's Hill all the way to the A27, and whilst freewheeling down I recorded 36mph (as compared to 3.6mph on the way up.) Then it was Level Mare Lane again and all the way down the A.29 to Bognor, with Ernie peeling off at Eastergate, and Edwin and John at shripney.

My mileage for the evening was 18.9.

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 22:35 BST

Updated: Friday, 3 July 2009 23:06 BST

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Today we had an early morning 8.00am start nominally for the morning only led by Colin and a 10.00 am start led by Avryl. Slight problem in that yesterday I spotted that the Pedaller Rides List had the early start meeting at Walberton and the Section Rides List had the Ride meeting at Chichester. I arranged with Colin that he went to Chichester while I went to Walberton. Neither of us had any takers and I did a loop via Slindon, Eartham, Upwaltham, Charlton, up Charlton hill and then Lavant and the Centurion Way to Chichester to join the main ride at 10.00. An advantage of an early start is spotting wildlife. As I cycled at the back of Slindon Woods I spotted a family of 3 ferrets. I stopped to get my camera out and they got in a bit of a tizzy, first running to one side of the road and then the other a great speed. I managed to get one picture.

Edwin

Report by Avryl

 

Posted by RideLeader at 20:18 BST

Updated: Sunday, 28 June 2009 22:07 BST

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Weather today was sunny spells and cloudy spells though fairly warm at about 19C and a constant NW wind which was quite noticeable in the morning as we rode west to Lee on Solent but which blew us back in the afternoon.

Arthur was the leader and he was joined at the Cross by Lynn, myself (Edwin) Brian, Richard, Alan, Liz and John Wickens. John was joining us for a change of scenery.

The ride is a fair distance and a lot of time is involved waiting for ferries so Arthur took us on a direct route on the A259. Just after Bosham Sam caught us while he was coincidentally heading the same way to Rowlands Castle. We chatted a little before he turned off at Southbourne. We continued to Emsworth and stopped there for an early elevenses at the Greenhouse Café.

Then it was on to Havant and down the Hayling Billy trail with clear views across the water to Portsmouth and the Spinnaker Tower. We went on to the Hayling Island ferry to Portsmouth which even apart from us seemed to gain far more custom from cyclists than foot passengers. The fare seemed dearer than last year at £4.30 return for passenger with bike. Alan and Liz left us at this point to ride home.

After safely making landfall on the other side we rode along Southsea seafront road with good views of the Isle of Wight. Then it was on to the Gosport Ferry which just left as we arrived to get tickets. We got the next one in 15 minutes. While waiting for the ferry we were joined by another IOW Brian, I think they come in pairs.

At Gosport it was along the Prom and then past Haslar Hospital, soon to close down and the coast route round Stokes Bay. We stopped for lunch at The Bluebird Café, Lee on Solent.

After refuelling we took a direct route back to Gosport and the ferry arriving there just as it left, again!

After making landfall in Portsmouth Arthur took us through the city streets back to Southsea. Then on to the ferry and a 15 minute wait for it to come over from the other side.

For the return route we headed over to the East side of Hayling and the lanes through to Northney. Last year St Peters Church there had put on very good teas there and it was on their website for this year. However we got there and found they were not doing it this year and had not yet amended their website. We continued a short way to Northney Marina where there was a coffee machine and drinks and snacks in a shop. A good option for a late stop as was now nearly 5.00.

We returned direct to Chichester arriving there about 6.30. Mileage from and back to Chichester was 53 but we spent a good hour altogether waiting for ferries. My mileage was 66.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:03 BST

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...Ok so maybe this blog entry should have been amended to show the ride going to the Ship & Anchor pub, at Ford.

 Apologies to anyone who may have gone direct up to the Black Rabbit, but on the night it was cold and dull, with a very stong headwind that would have been against us nearly all the way. It's quite a long ride out, leaving little scope for anything other than a fairly direct route straight into the wind, which none of the 4 of us out tonight - myself, Edwin, John, and Julian - really had the appetite for.

So a compromise was reached and we curtailed the ride at Ford. Thus we had a little more time to vary the route slightly to avoid the worst of the wind.

Our route took us through the back streets of Middleton-on-Sea, along some "virgin" territory through to Middleton Green, then via Yapton Church and Ford Lane to the pub. 

Our return - when we found the wind had, somewhat embarrassingly, dropped considerably - was back through Yapton and direct via Comet corner to Middleton village and Felpham.

Mileage, start to finish, was 14.5.

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 20:43 BST

Updated: Sunday, 21 June 2009 20:56 BST

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Today the heat wave had returned with temperatures up to 25C.

We met at Chichester Cross and Gill our leader was joined by myself, (Edwin) Harvey and Christine for the ride to Hooksway. We were joined at the Cross by Chris Dart and 2 newcomers but they turned back at West Ashling as they needed to get back early.

The rest of us continued via Funtington and West Marden to stop for elevenses at the new café at Compton where we met John and Anne Bennett who were just finishing their tea before returning to Chichester. The tea rooms are very smart and well worth a visit.

After sampling the cakes and beverages we continued on the lane across to the Mardens with some short climbs. Then it was on to North Marden and down to Hooksway. We were soon joined there by Richard and Elizabeth who came by car and then by Colin who came via quite a few tracks.

We continued, joined by Colin up the very steep climb back to the main road.  

Then it was down to Chilgrove. Then it was pleasant lanes with a fair few climbs across to West Dean.

Gill then lead us down the Centurion Way to Lavant and across to Tangmere and Avryl’s house for the Strawberry tea. We were joined there by Alan, Liz, Eric, Kath Richard, Elizabeth and Dave Parsons who cycled direct. Arthur, Lynn and the 2 Brians joined us after doing a Moulton Club ride with 4 other members of the Moulton Club. David Glue joined us by car after suffering a fall earlier in the day when a stick caught up in his mudguard resulting in him going over the handlebars. Luckily he had no serious injuries but the forks of the bike were damaged.

Avryl laid on a magnificent spread with great bowels of Strawberries and Cream and an assortment of cakes all enjoyed in her pleasant garden.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:44 BST

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Today’s DA Event organised by Arun Adur was called a Green Ride. Not for environmental sustainability but for going through places with the name Green in them.

17 members from all Sections met at Billingshurst Station arriving there by bike car or train. I had worked out a route from advance details Dave had distributed. 7 joined me, Colin, Jeff and Beatrice, Anne, Gill, Avryl and John Maxim.

Dave handed out the full details including questions at each location. Points for each Green ranged from 1 for close ones to 20 for the furthest away. We headed out in 4 groups with varying numbers in each, mine and 2 groups from Arun Adur and I from Horsham.

I headed out to Wisborough Green to collect the first point and then it was north on lanes to Bucks Green, Cox Green and Ewhurst Green. We were in Surrey now with Stockbroker type plush houses a plenty. Being further away from Billingshurst we collected some top scoring Greens with Ewhurst bringing in 18 and Forest Green 20. I had planned on lunch at Forest Green but as we arrived at 11.45 we went on further riding south via Mayes Green to stop at the Scarlet Arms, Walliswood. We arrived at the Pub at precisely 12.00 noon, even Horsham Section couldn’t do better!

We arrived first with the other groups soon following. Dave arrived to check the scores. We came second with 62 points. We did well for DA Event Points which is based on attendance with 7 out. There were 5 Arun Adur members and 4 from Horsham and 1 guest rider.

We headed back to Billingshurst Station to make our ways home. Ride distance from and back to the Station was about 34 miles. Well done to Anne who rode from home and then back after the Event.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:15 BST

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A short ride tonight. A lovely evening with excellent cycling conditions, although as darkness fell it became noticeably colder than of late.

I met Edwin, John and Julian at the start, and after some discussion we decided to take a route via Felpham and Middleton (including a couple of "new" byways), down to Elmer and along the beach towards Climping.

Since i last went this way, some more coastal protection work has been done banking up the shingle, and although some of the ground was hard packed, there were still quite a few lengths which had to be walked.

Coincidentally an article in tonights local paper explains that on grounds of cost, the environment agency is proposing to cease  further work along this piece of coastline, meaning that after a couple of years all this shingle is likely to be washed away, with probable sea encroachment in many places. At present the shingle is washed to the mouth of the River Arun, where it is dredged up and returned.  Whether the Arun will still be kept clear, and if so, where the shingle will be moved to, is not clear.  Link below is an interesting read.

http://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/gazette-news/Flood-risk-report-says-Climping.5334491.jp

 After reaching Climping, we followed Bread Lane, a rarely used track, but in good conditon and well worth investigation. Then a footpath across a wheat field bringing us almost to the pub door.

We sat on the large decking outside, as every table inside was laid up for meals and casual drinkers did not appear to be particularly welcome.

Our return ride was straight down the A259 back to Felpham, a fast road with little traffic on it at the time we headed home. A lively run ensued and we got back in record time.

My mileage for the evening was a modest 10.7

Graham 

Posted by RideLeader at 22:17 BST

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Weather today was again clear blue skies with temperatures up to 23C with a brisk NE wind.

Support for the early start morning ride was a bit limited. Colin was the leader and only Colin turned up. He did a loop out via Rowlands Castle and joined us near West Dean.

Arthur was the leader of the 10.00 am start ride but having just got back from France at 1.00am he came to the Cross and nominated me as leader before heading home. I was joined at the Cross by Harvey, Richard, Christine and Jan. Jan had done a long ride with Havant on Saturday so she left us at Lavant.

Then it was up the busy main road. We were concerned about the pub getting busy so I took no more diversions and headed straight there via Cocking. The pub could best be described as a surviving Pub with the Bluebell, Cocking and The Royal Oak, Midhurst now closed.

After lunch I continued a short way towards Midhurst before turning right on a quiet lane to Amersham. Then it was more back lanes via Heyshott to Cocking and a stop for tea in the Garden of the Moonlight Café. Some members seemed to have trouble with pouring from the teapot through a tea strainer.

My mileage from and back to Pagham was 48. Distance from and back to Chichester was about 34.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:03 BST

Updated: Monday, 1 June 2009 17:35 BST

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Weather today was ideal with light winds, blue skies and temperatures of about 23C. Summer at last just in time for the 2^nd DA Event.

4 of us from the Section arrived at Pulborough Station for the start. I came by train, Jeff by car, and Anne and Colin came their separate ways by bike. We met up with good contingents from Arun Adur and Horsham. Bob from Horsham, the organiser gave us instructions and route sheets and clues.

Colin, Jeff Anne and I rode together as a team. The route sheets gave directions and between one turn and the next there would be clue requiring observation of something visible from the road. We headed out towards Fittleworth and then lanes via Little Bognor, and Kirdford. Most of the lanes were really quiet.

Then it was more lanes across to Northchapel and then over to Lurgashall. As I cycled down the steep hill just before Lurgashall I changed down at the bottom to get into a lower gear for the uphill. The chain overshot and jammed between the cassette and Hub bringing the wheel to an instant halt while I kept going, coming off the bike, just missing the Lurgashall Road sign and landing at the side of the road among the holly bushes. A serious amount of immediate worry as I landed on the same side as the repaired hip. Luckily the impact was on my side and shoulder so only? bruised ribs this time. Note to self (try to avoid falling off the bike every other DA Event)

While I sat in the bushes recovering Colin set about trying to repair the bike. The derailleur was bent in all sorts of ways not conducive to Pedalling. As Colin was trying to bend it back the steel derailleur hanger snapped off. It showed signs of rust and the accident put a lot of strain on it. The next step was to try shortening the chain and get back on one gear.

After some difficulty this was done but as soon as pressure was put on the pedals the chain slipped down to the smallest ring on the cassette and then came off. There were only a few miles to lunch at Lodsworth so Colin kindly swapped bikes and scooted my bike up hills and freewheeled down.

After lunch I waited at the Hollist Arms, Lodsworth while the others completed the route and Jeff kindly returned in his car and gave me a lift home.

One interesting point is that after my last incident the DA Committee passed a new rule for DA Events. The rule is that if a member attends a DA Event intending to complete it and starts it but is unable to finish due to accident, breakdown or other emergency beyond their control they will be entitled to the full 10 points. I think I tick the boxes on several counts but I would have preferred not to, yet again.

Full mileage for the route was 30 miles and I missed the last 10.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:18 BST

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There were 4 of us out for tonights ride - myself, Edwin, John, and Val.

As the weather was fine with good cycling conditions and it is not particularly far to our destination, i thought we would take a route via Bilsham that I cannot ever recall using in all my 19 years or so association with this club.

True, i hadn't used it myself in a while, and the stile and single plank bridge were obstacles i had put to the back of my mind. Possibly this is why the club has not passed this way before, and i suppose it may be a while before we do so again. However these minor irritations were easily overcome and turning down Bilsham Lane past the manor house and old church, then across fields to Barnham does give a new vista and a feeling that you are miles away from civilisation.

Perhaps I should have realised the terrain was not enitrely suitable for anyone recovering from an operation (sorry Edwin), that sharp turns on gravel can make you fall off (sorry John) and that hard braking can make riders crash into each other (sorry Val). Despite that catalogue of misfortune we arrived at the pub by way of Barnham and Walberton, remarkably unscathed. Colin was waiting there for us, and accompanied us homewards as far as Yapton.

Returning by a more conventional route entirely on the tarmac, my mileage for the evening was 15.2.

Graham.

Posted by RideLeader at 21:09 BST

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Today there was time in the morning for packing and bike packing. Some of the group went out for a fry up breakfast.

At 12 we and bikes were picked up by 2 minibus taxis arranged by Avryl.

Majorca Airport earns special brownie points for having some special luggage trollys designed for bikes. See picture below.

There was no problem at all with easyjet staff over transparent bike bags. Must be fewer jobsworth types in Majorca.

Richard and Elizabeth who were booked on a later flight managed to get transferred to our flight taking the last 2 seats.

The flight went well with good views over Palma. As usual the clear views faded to cloud as we approached England and also a drop in temperature to adjust to.

A very good holiday which everybody enjoyed and well organised by Avryl.

 Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:02 BST

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Weather today was cloudy first thing but soon cleared to bright blue skies and temperatures up to 24C.

The ride today was to meet up with Derek at Porto Pollensa and then Derek led us to Pollensa old town and then Cala Sant Vicenc for lunch.

I led the ride to Porto Pollensa as I had leaned the back lanes route. First stop was the bike shop on the edge of Alcudia for Christine to stock up on energy gel.

We then followed the lanes and then the bay cyclepath to Porto Pollensa and a beachside cafe to meet up with Derek and his partner Margaret.

Derek then led us inland on his usual quiet narrow lanes about 5 miles to Pollensa and then through a maze of back streets to a central square and views of multiple steps up to a chapel. Then it more back streets to a Roman bridge and multiple picture taking.

We continued on lanes and then down to the bays at Cala Sant Vicenc. We stopped en route to view prehistoric burial mounds and a little different stop to view classic cars.

The bays were spectacular with jagged rock faces rising from the sea with great breakers rolling in. After lunch at a cafe on the front we rode up a road along the rocks at the side of the bay for good views.

Then we headed out of town with a stop for some Donkey feeding. Then Derek took us on more lanes and round to a bar called Red Rum for tea. We said our goodbyes to Derek and Margaret and headed back to base.

In the evening we gave a presentation to Avryl in thanks for the organisation of the holiday. This was a cooking spoon a pashmina scarf and a pinafore.

37 miles for the day.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:18 BST

Updated: Monday, 18 May 2009 14:53 BST

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Weather today was mainly cloudy with occasional sunny spells and scattered showers later in the day. Temperatures reached 22C.

Today's ride was to the SE around Alcudia Bay to Colonia De Sant Pere for lunch. Avryl led us on the main road in the absence of any backroads. The road was fairly good for cycling with a good hard shoulder.

We rode past the Nature Reserve and Caen Picafort. Then on to a turnoff on a minor road down to the coast to Son Serra. This is known locally as the empty town due to the large number of holiday homes. We stopped here for elevenses at the Fronterra Cafe on the front. This has views to the hills on either side of the bay. It was interesting to note dozens of millipedes on the walls and floors.

We continued with a climb back to the main road and after a few miles we turned off on a side road and a long descent to Colonia De Sant Pere, a small seaside town. We stopped for a lunch at a cafe on the front.

After a refreshing stop we rode up back to the main road. Christine had taken more energy gel and was again climbing well. We rode back on the main road, mainly flat but with a few short climbs.

We continued to Caen Picafort for a tea stop just in time to shelter from a heavy shower. For the first time on the trip waterproofs were required for the short ride back to base in light rain

37 miles for the day

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:09 BST

Updated: Monday, 18 May 2009 14:49 BST

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Today we split into 2 groups. Richard, Elizabeth, Mike, Irene, Avryl and Christine took a bus to Soller and then the Mountains train ride to Palma and back to Sollerand then bus back to Alcudia.

Edwin, Jim and Jan led by Derek took a hard bike ride into the mountains. Peter did the same ride but started separately aiming to take a short cut to the start of the climb but got lost and did a longer route but still managed to accidentally meet up with us for elevenses.

Weather for the day was mainly cloudy with some sunny spells and a few spots of rain but luckily not enough to wet the road. Derek had us worried by his advice about wet roads in Majorca. Apparently unique conditions in Majorca create a paste in places of limestone and vegetation which is like ice in the wet sending cyclists regularly skidding and falling. Derek never cycles in the mountains in the wet.

We met Derek on Pollensa bay and he led us on out of the way backroads not marked on any map. One good route was through woods with no traffic. We took a back route up a steep climb to the hilltop town of Campanet for elevenses in the square.

Peter joined us after 10 minutes. We continued on a backroad to campanari where we stopped to view replicas of old Majorcan houses. We then started on the big 6 mile climb after arranging to meet Peter at Luc Monastery Cafi?? at the top.

On the climb there were views of terraces for farmland and rocky valleys.

After multiple hairpin bends we eventually reached the top and had an ice cream at the Garage cafi??. Then a short descent to Luc and the Cafi??. After a while Peter joined us and we had a look round the Monastery. The descent started with some ups and downs before a great 10 mile descent to Pollensa.

Then lanes to Pollensa Bay. Riding along the bay a bus came past us and pulled into a stop and we passed it and then it came past us again. On the bus was the rest of our group on the way back from Soller and a lot of waving resulted. We continued back to base arriving soon after the others.

58 miles for the day.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:11 BST

Updated: Monday, 18 May 2009 14:45 BST

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Today's ride was a short one to the Sanctuary Victoria and back. Weather started warm and sunny but later there was more cloud. Temperatures reached 26C.

Avryl led us on the usual route along the coast. It is very handy having separate access roads either side of the main road which are used as cyclepaths. We stopped at a cafi?? on the beach at Port Alcudia for elevenses. Mike and Elizabeth caught the bus there and met us.

We continued to Alcudia old town to explore. Christine stayed with Mike and Elizabeth to conserve her energy for the hilly ride later.

The old town is walled all round. The main street was full due to a market. We got onto a side street and some of us explored the Church which barred admission except on payment of a 1 Euro "Donation"

Christine rejoined us and we continued on the road up the peninsula.

On yesterdays ride Christine had been lagging behind and feeling a need to stop and rest every hour due to lack of energy. I had advised her to try an energy gel available from bike shops. She had followed the advice and took half a sachet at elevenses.

Today the transformation was amazing into Christine supercyclist. She powered up the first hill we came to ahead of everybody else and told us she felt full of energy.

We stopped for lunch at a cafi?? on a bay. Then it was a very steep climb for about 2 kilometres with many hairpin bends. Christine was still riding fast uphill though stopping occasionally. We stopped at the top and had a look round. There was an old sanctuary turned into a hotel and a restaurant with views over the bay.

We retraced our ride and stopped for tea at a cafi?? by a Marina

Miles for the day 17.6.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:14 BST

Updated: Monday, 18 May 2009 14:42 BST

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Today's ride was to the Coves (Caves) of Campanet for a late elevenses and then the old town of Muro for a late lunch. Weather was hot and sunny all day generally reaching 28C and 32C further inland.

Derek led the ride and met us at the front of the hotel. For many of us who knew him it was the first we had seen him for many years. Avryl was pleased to hand over the burden of leading to somebody who knows the Island backward.

It was amazing following Derek as we took twists and turns on narrow little lanes with no traffic and unmarked on maps. We turned off onto a rolling lane along a beautiful valley. At one point Derek stopped and pointed out a sculpture of a giant head far away in a field.

By 12.00 we reached the Coves of Camanet cafi?? for a welcome respite from the heat. The cafi?? had lovely views across the valley.

We continued with more lanes and scenic hilltop towns before reaching Muro for lunch about 3.30. Mike and Elizabeth had managed to get there by bus earlier for a more normal lunch time but had to leave before we arrived.

After lunch we took a much more direct route back across plains and a nature reserve to base

Miles for the day 37.8.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:50 BST

Updated: Monday, 18 May 2009 14:40 BST

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Today was bright and sunny with temperatures up to 26C.

After yesterdays bike transport problems today was the day of hired bike problems.Christine's bike had too low handlebars and Jim had problems too.

We rode first along the coast and on a cyclepath along the bay to Porto Pollensa and had a long elevenses while Christine and Jim and Irene went to the Bike Hire shop and got new bikes. Mike and Elizabeth met us there having got a bus.

We then continued on backroad cycle routes on quiet lanes to the inland town of Pollensa.

We stopped for lunch at a square by a church with a Market going on in full swing beside us. As we headed out of town there was Mike and Elizabeth walking up a street having caught a bus to Pollensa. We couldn't escape them.

For the return route I conferred with Avryl and comparing maps we agreed there was little relationship between the layout of roads on any 2 maps and many roads were missing. We decided to head in the right general direction to the left of a big hill.

The strategy worked quite well until we arrived at a junction where Avryl thought we were one place and in fact we were in another. We had a short interesting climb to a quarry and back down. We then found our way back to base.

26 miles for the day.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:40 BST

Updated: Monday, 18 May 2009 14:37 BST

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