The longer ride today was a 100 mile ride into North Hampshire stopping at Popham Airfield Cafe for lunch. I (Edwin) led the ride and I was joined at the Cross at 7.00am by Ann and Colin.

Weather was excellent, warm early and late and hot in the middle of the day up to 26C. There were unbroken clear blue skies until mid morning and in the late afternoon and scattered clouds in the middle of the day. Weather was very similar to last years 100 except for a southerly wind which made the temperature more comfortable

I led the group out on the South Coast Cycle route lanes over to Rowlands Castle. Then it was Clanfield and up to the Bat and Ball and up to HMS Mercury on a lane I rarely use. After a short ride along the ridge it was down on a steep narrow lane to Meon Springs Fisheries situated on a back road between East and West Meon. We settled on the veranda above the fish ponds and enjoyed our bacon butties.

We continued north from Arlesford with great views across rolling downland and on via East Stratton and Micheldever Station to stop for lunch at Popham Airfield Cafe. Unfortunately the airfield was packed for the Annual Motorcycle Mega Meet & Vintage Aircraft Fly-in. There was a big queue for only cold food at the café. Colin and Anne had brought sandwiches anyway. I will need to remember to check for Events before future visits.

After lunch we continued on north for a short way but I cut short the usual route by a few miles due to road closures at Overton. Then down on lanes to Dummer and past Dummer Farm, family home to the Duchess of York. Then it was pleasant lanes via Axford, Bradley and Lower Weald to stop for a break by the Cricket Pitch at Meadstead. Appropriate for an Ashes winning day.

Then on and over Hill Brow and a fast long descent to Rogate. Then lanes to Nyewood and on via Elsted Marsh, Didling and Cocking where we found a shop open selling ice creams and then back over Cocking Hill.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was 97. With rides from home to the start we all did over 100. Anne 101, I did 110 and Colin about the same.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:20 BST

Updated: Monday, 24 August 2009 11:24 BST

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The day was bright sunny and dry with temperatures up to 23C.

From our Section for the longer ride to Graffham there was only Gill and myself (Edwin) at the Cross with Colin joining us at elevenses. Ernie and John Wickens from Arun Adur made up the numbers to 4 starting. The easier flat ride to Wittering led by Avryl gained all the support with 18 on that ride with 9 going direct to the tea. I led a mixed DA group back to the tea of 10 making a total of 37 enjoying Mary’s substantial hospitality at tea time.

Avryl will post a report on her ride later. For my ride we were joined at the Cross by 3 early arrivals for the 10.00 ride, Peter Wilson from Arun Adur and Derek and Margaret from Majorca spending August in the UK to avoid the Spanish heat.

The 4 of us on the ride said our goodbyes and headed east via Westhampnett and then a quiet climb over the Downs to Pillygreen. Then it was along the ridge with views down to the Coast. Then we turned onto the Petworth road and a fast swoop down Duncton Hill before a sharp right into the lanes at the bottom. As we cycled up the hill on a lane into Petworth we spotted Dave Galle and Richard Boulton ahead of us. Colin had already arrived at Tiffens and Dave Fox joined us later after fixing his tyre.

 We were soon served with tea and coffee and after a lot of chat started off again. I led the combined group via Burton Mill Pond, over the Petworth road and then the lane via Duncton Common to the White Horse at Graffham. The Horsham & Crawley section and John Maxim were already settled down to lunch in the rear garden.

We re-grouped at the Post Office in Cocking before tackling the climb up Cocking Hill. It is probably the best local climb compared to the vertical ascents of Duncton or Harting

 After re-grouping again at the bottom of the descent in Singleton I led the group along the lane to Charlton where we tackled the next long climb up Charlton Down to the Goodwood Horse Racecourse. Bob was disappointed not to find the ice cream van waiting for him and Colin took a short nap on the verge while we waited.

Our easy riding Group led by Avryl, 18 in all including 3 from Arun-Adur, had done an easy ride to the south of Chichester and down to East Wittering and had arrived earlier together with others who came direct. Everybody was seated all around the very appealing swimming pool. In the end there were 37 of us in all.

My mileage for the day from Pagham was 54.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:30 BST

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Colin was the leader today and he was joined by at Walberton Pond by myself (Edwin) Avryl, Gill, Anne, Jeff, Ernie and Phil and Verna from Worthing. We met Alan and Liz later in the morning making their way direct.

The weather was sunny in the morning with more cloud early afternoon but clearing later in the afternoon. Temperature was about 21C.

We rode up to the Spur and then the lanes via Madehurst to Whiteways. Then a fast descent of Houghton Hill and on to Amberley to stop for an early elevenses. We were their first customers of the day.

Then it was on past Wiggonholt and the lanes to West Chiltington. Then it was north via Broadford Bridge and Coneyhurst and lanes to the north of Billingshurst and on to Wisborough Green. There was a good turnout from other Sections and in the end there were 27 there altogether.

On the way back we rode via Kirdford and Flexham Park and a maze of lanes bringing us out eventually at Fittleworth. We took more lanes to Sutton where we had hoped to stop for tea at the bi-annual Flower festival with teas at the Rectory. Unfortunately the Open day at Bignor Park which used to alternate with the Sutton Festival had switched to Annual and the Sutton event had been moved to 9^th August. We took the usually closed lane into Bignor Park with hopes of getting tea there but the tea rooms were packed and a long queue waiting. Alan and Liz and Phil and Verna decided to stay there while the rest of us moved on to Houghton Bridge tea rooms.

After tea we split up with John Wickens heading back to Washington, Colin, Gill and Anne going back via the Khyber Pass route to Arundel and Avryl, Ernie and I heading back over Houghton.

My mileage for the day from Pagham was 68.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:06 BST

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A very pleasant evening's cycling today.

Four of us met at the leisure centre - Alan, John (R), Jo, and I.

The weather was warm, and with no danger of rain, but quite a strong breeze. However we headed northwards with the wind behind us and by the time we got to the pub the wind had dropped considerably, so there was no headwind at all to battle with on the return journey.

We set out towards Barnham on the track from Flansham (this seems to be the set route for the last few rides from Felpham). Then it was up to Walberton and the steady climb to Fontwell, where we dropped through the subway under the A27 and into Slindon Woods, emerging in Park Lane for the short downhill run to the A29, quickly followed by the short sharp climb to the pub.

We must have had quite a good tail wind as we seemed to have achieved the ride in record time, something like 50 minutes.

Bognor CC were in force outside the pub, where their time-trialling was winding up, and from which event Edwin later joined us for the return home.

Return route was straight down Shellbridge Road, crossing a very quiet  A27, then straight to Yapton, Middleton and Felpham.

Round trip mileage - 16.8

Graham       

Posted by RideLeader at 16:21 BST

Updated: Friday, 31 July 2009 16:36 BST

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There were 2 rides today, a long and short ride. I joined the Leader Jeff for the long ride at 08.30 at Chichester Cross. We waited a little but nobody else arrived.

Weather was mixed today, mainly cloudy with a few sunny spells in the morning and more cloud and a few spots of rain in the afternoon. Jeff led the way with a brisk pace up Centurion Way to Lavant and then lanes via West Stoke to Funtington. Then it was up the B road towards West Marden but turning off for a stiff climb to Forestside. Then it was down to Finchdean and on the road to Chalton. As a fit young racing cyclists came past Jeff demonstrated the benefits of drafting maintaining 18.5 mph on his tail for a little way.

We turned right at Chalton to head towards Ibsworth and then a gradual climb across to Compton and a stop for elevenses. We continued on the main route down the valley and then lanes towards Woodmancote. Here we split with Jeff heading home. I headed south to join the short ride for lunch at the Boaters Bar, Prinsted.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:10 BST

Updated: Sunday, 26 July 2009 20:16 BST

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Weather didn’t look too promising first thing with a heavy shower lasting until 9.00. As soon as it cleared I rode on up to Chichester to make the 9.30 start. Linda was unable to make it as leader and she had rung Colin to take over. As it turned out there was just Colin and I on the ride and we shared the lead.

Weather for the day was not as bad as it might have been with only a couple of short showers of heavy drizzle mid morning clearing to dry with sunny spells in the afternoon. The wind was very strong but mainly side on and we were quite sheltered by hill and trees.

We rode via West Ashling, Funtington and then the B Road to Compton and Harting. We came across a constant stream of Cyclists coming the other way taking part in a triathlon based on Chichester. We stopped for elevenses at Compton tea rooms. Then it was on via Harting and across to Petersfield bypassing this to the south. Then it was on to a little lane from Steep to Steep Marsh and Oakshott and Hawkley with a large number of ups and downs and hardly seeing a car. We made our way on more lanes to Selborne and lunch at the Queens Head. This has seen better days but was comfortable and did reasonably priced sandwiches.

The pub cat was the only other occupant of the lounge bar. The cat was very standoffish at first but soon became very friendly when my Tuna Sandwich arrived.

On the way back it was more quiet lanes and climbs via The Warren. Then we joined a byroad down towards Petersfield whose twisting turns have led it to be nicknamed Little Switzerland. I practised my Alpine descending skills. Then it was a byroad across to Stroud and Ramsdean and a lane to join the road to Buriton. A sharp climb up the hill and then the long descent through the woods and on to Finchdean and then Rowlands Castle for tea.

We returned to Chichester on the South Coast Cycle Route via Westbourne and Woodmancote and made our ways home. Mileage from Chichester was 60 and my mileage from Pagham was 70.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:05 BST

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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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