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Bognor Chichester CTC Ride Notes- Club Website is at www.bognorchichesterctc.org.uk
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
More Snow Pictures
Thanks to Jeff Lander for these snow pictures taken while out walking. The first one is taken looking down Charlton Hill towards Charlton. The second picture is the back lane at West Dean looking towards West Dean Church. Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 18:34 GMT
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Lanzarote. Sunday 17th January.
Over the last week I have not been able to do much in the way of hard rides due to a cold. It was probably caught in that colds and flu incubation chamber otherwise known as an aeroplane. I treated myself with Lemsip, packed just in case and 1000mg Vitamin C tablets, 2000mg in the morning and 2000mg in the evening. I managed 3 flat rides along the Prom cycle path, about 17 miles return.
Today I was fit enough to venture back into the hills.
Temperatures since I arrived have been above average for January here. Usually it has been about 23C rather than the average of 20 or 21C. I think it is because the Jet Stream moved south bringing you arctic air and warmer weather further south. Today though it got seriously hot with a southerly wind and maximum temperature of 26C. It was a little hazy on the east coast where all the resorts are but clear blue skies inland.
I cycled inland on the back lane to Tias at 650ft. Then it was another little lane above Tias for another 400ft of climb to the plateau.
I then cycled north along the main road going along the centre of the plateau. There were a lot of other riders out, some in big groups. After passing San Bartolome in the centre of the Island I continued to Teguise bypassing the Sunday market. I turned off on a back road with 500ft of descent back towards the coast.
Then a few miles along an empty service road alongside a main road. A car slowed down beside me and the lady who was navigating tried to ask me directions in Spanish. All the while the husband insisted on driving the car on slowly! Later I turned off onto another back road and a further 500ft of descent to Costa Teguise.
I stopped on the prom for a late picnic lunch managing to find a shady spot to get out of the heat. I noticed a local with a shirt on saying in Spanish something to the effect of Beach supervisor. He was getting around by cycling , pedalling with bare feet doing the occasional wheelie. Somebody has to do jobs like that I suppose!
I returned on the coast route past the Desalination plant and through Arrecife. A Sunday is a good time to ride through the city with little traffic around. Then it was back on the prom cycle route with a tea (fresh orange juice) stop at a café.
40 miles for the day.
Scroll down for local Club Rides.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 19:12 GMT
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Snow Pics
Hi Edwin I am forwarding this from Becky Reynolds of the Brighton section. This is Hartington Road BN2. A bit different from where you are !!!! David Galle Typed by Louise OBO David
More pics like this please. Email them to me. Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 17:17 GMT
Updated: Sunday, 10 January 2010 17:27 GMT
Friday, 8 January 2010
Lanzarote. Tuesday 5th January to Friday 8th January
I flew out of Gatwick at Midday on Tuesday, escaping the big freeze in the nick of time before Gatwick closed down on Wednesday. Temperatures are a little different here. 23C on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and a little chillier today at 19C! For those coming to Greece in September Thomson had no problems with CTC plastic bike bags and the bike arrived safe and sound. Now well settled in and larder stocked and getting into a routine. Started out with some quite short rides to get back in the swing of things. 15 miles, 17 miles and today 30 miles. Basically climb up 1000ft to the plateau along the top a bit and then back down. With the aim of building up fitness, on 2 days did some hill climb intervals. Short very hard efforts for about 40 seconds and then rest and repeat. The magazines say this is the best way to get fitter. Finished the ride today with a stop at Puerto del Carmen Prom for an Italian Ice cream at the ice cream kiosk. Scrumptious.
Back home looks interesting but much better to view it from afar. Used the laptop to listen to the radio and look at snow pictures on News Websites. Also some of the UK papers are printed in Tenerife and available the same day. Anybody takes any local snow scenes whether or not on a bike ride please email them to me and I will put them on the Blog here. Scroll down for local Club Rides Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 21:44 GMT
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Sunday 3rd January. Mince Pie Ride
Today was another bright sunny day but bitterly cold below freezing to start with and reaching a maximum of 3C.
I was worried about ice to start with as the roads were very frost covered early on but there had been no snow or rain in the last few days so I rode carefully the short distance on the estate to the main route which was treated. Then it was straight up the B Road to Mary’s house at Runcton.
Mary had laid on the usual great spread of mince pies and cakes. Everybody arrived, some by car and some by bike. In the end there were 33 there including Mary.
We took a longer route via Merston, Shopwick and past the Airfield. Then it was the lane past Goodwood Park Hotel and then across to Boxgrove. I got an extra 0.3 mile in going over the many hairpins of the Tangmere Cycle Bridge.
We arrived at Avryl’s first at 1.30 and her warm house felt very pleasant. Gill was also there as Avryl had given her a lift as Gill had her leg in plaster with a possible fracture after falling down stairs last week. Breaking a leg is usually my trick! Again everybody gradually arrived and tucked into warm mince pies and Stollham Cakes.
I headed back across the Airfield to Oving and then lanes via Colworth. We had seen no ice to worry about during the ride, just some frozen puddles at the side of the road. On the lane towards Colworth there was a flood across half the road from rain earlier last week. Ernie had encountered that in a more frozen state in the Morning on his way to Mary’s. My mileage for the day was 19.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 17:50 GMT
Friday, 1 January 2010
Friday 1st January. Ride to Amberley.
Today was bright and sunny all day but barely managed to get much above 3C with a bitter northerly wind.
I was worried about ice so I left a little later and went direct to the Pub for lunch.
At the Pond Anne, Ernie and Phil and Verna from Worthing met. They took the usual route via Madehurst and Houghton. We met a lot of riders from Arun Adur at the Pub, Richard, Dave Fox, Brian and Sue, Dave Fox and Graham.
On the return ride Phil and Verna rode over the Khyber Pass with Richard while Anne John and I rode back via Houghton Hill.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 19:42 GMT
Updated: Saturday, 2 January 2010 19:45 GMT
Sunday, 20 December 2009
Sunday 20th December. Funtington Ride
With weather warnings of extensive black ice and temperatures barely getting above freezing I decided to avoid any more broken bones and stay at home in the warm. I packed my bike ready for departure to warmer climes in Lanzarote in the New Year.
Well done to Arthur Lynn and Colin who turned out for the ride today. They limited the ride to riding to Bosham for Coffee. Even on that short flat ride one of the roads near Bosham was very treacherous. Continuing to Funtington would have been very tricky with untreated roads and hills so they returned to Chichester.
It was a shame about the ice and the temperature. It was a beautiful day otherwise with unbroken clear blue skies.
Merry Christmas to everybody.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 16:12 GMT
Updated: Sunday, 20 December 2009 16:14 GMT
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Sunday 13th December. Christmas Lunch Rides
There were 2 rides today. I led the early start Appetite Improver Ride and Richard led the short ride starting later. We were all ending up at Aldingbourne Country Centre Café for the Club’s Christmas Lunch.
Weather today was very cold, dry with sunny spells in the morning and showers in the afternoon. Overnight low was 3C and it didn’t get much above 6C during the day. I suffer from cold feet so having read a tip in Cycling Weekly recently I decided to give it a try. First Kitchen foil over the socks and then cling film over that. (it works for Turkeys so why not feet?) Anyway next it was the shoes and next Tesco plastic bags (re-cycling) and finally overshoes. The overshoes have the added benefit of hiding the kitchen foil sticking out from the shoes. It did seem to work for added warmth.
Anyway at the Cross at 8.30 just the usual hard riders were waiting, Gill and Anne.
With less traffic than usual due to the earlier hour, for a change, I continued on the main road through Duncton Village before turning off on lanes via Burton Mill Pond. Then we rode another lane to Coldwatham. There were still floods in fields near the Arun but much less than last Sunday.
Then it was on to Wiggonholt and a welcome break after 2 hours hard riding. The Appetite Improving was working very well and a large bread pudding cake was very welcome. Not long before we left 6 riders from Horsham Cycling Club arrived.
The return was direct via Amberley and Houghton. Just before The Spur I turned off on a very steep climb to Slindon and then over to Aldingbourne. 40 miles just for the morning.
Richard was joined by just Harvey but more cycled there direct and some came by car. There were 18 in all for the lunch. I headed home direct and my total mileage was 49. From and back to Chichester would have been about 40.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 17:04 GMT
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Sunday 6 December 2009. Ride to Nutbourne
Weather today started with torrential rain. However the Weather Forecast and Internet weather radar promised a clearance and a good day to come. So it proved and the rain had cleared by 9.15 at Pagham giving me time to get to Walberton for the start at 10.00.
I got as far as the A29 and there was a sign, Woodgate Crossing closed so the direct route was blocked. I might have got through on a bike but it was 3 miles up there and 3 miles back. I decided to retrace to Bersted and then lanes via Colworth to Westergate. I was 20 minutes late at the start but with clear blue skies and a rare chance to get out on the bike after many days of rain I pressed on. I headed up to cross the A27 and a rare sight, not a car in sight. The A27 was closed on all carriageways in both directions between Fontwell and Arundel. Signs indicated it was closed due to a Traffic Incident. I later learned on the Internet that this was due to 2 car crash near the White Swan at 9.00am with 3 people trapped in cars
With the A29 and A27 closed one could be fairly certain of a large amount of traffic chaos in the area. Traffic was being diverted up to Whiteways and then down to Fontwell so I was glad to get away from it all onto the quiet Madehurst lane.
Then it was a fast descent to Houghton with parts of the Arun Valley clearly flooded south of Houghton. The torrential overnight rain was on top of a record rainfall over the last month. After Amberley I had clear views of the large lake stretching across to Pulborough. It did occur to me that if the Arun Crossings Ride had been today we would all have needed Pedaloes.
I continued to Wiggonholt for elevenses and just as I arrived there so did Alan and Liz after driving there. We were about to leave when Anne arrived. She had been late starting so came over direct. We all went on to The Rising Sun, Nutbourne for lunch. Nobody arrived from Walberton so presumably Harvey had nobody turn up.
After lunch Alan and Liz did a circular route to make a worthwhile ride back to Wiggonholt. Anne and I headed straight back via Amberley and Houghton. Anne headed home via Eartham while I headed back via Walberton and Westergate. I was able to get over the Crossing and stopped off on the way back to look at the lake across Shripney Lane. This has been flooded for more than a week now.
As it looked to be over a foot deep I decided not to get wet feet and retraced and took the diversion. My mileage for the day was 52.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 17:50 GMT
Updated: Sunday, 6 December 2009 17:56 GMT
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Sunday 29th November, Destination - Sutton
Cold, gales, intermittent storms of rain and hail. No cyclists at The Cross!! I put my coffee money in the empty charity tins of two stalwart Rotarians and returned home! Avryl 'leader'
Posted by RideLeader
at 17:16 GMT
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Sunday 22 November. On riding to Queen Elizabeth Country Park and evading showers.
The longer ride today was from Chichester Cross to lunch at Queen Elizabeth Country Park Café near Clanfield. Colin led the ride and he was joined at the Cross by myself, (Edwin) Gill and Anne. Weather today started dry but deteriorated to showers later in the morning, clearing to sunshine in the early afternoon and a few more showers in the late afternoon, all mixed in with strong SW winds and gale force squalls, a bit of everything really.
An early elevenses was planned for Rowlands Castle and we headed out at a brisk pace on Clay Lane via Woodmancote. We were just on the outskirts of Rowlands Castle when the first light rain started and we got into the cafe in time without needing waterproofs. We were then treated to what the Met Office call a band of organised showers. I think they mean by this that a lot of showers gang up and dropping their loads on you all at once. I looked at the weather rainfall history on the Internet. This indicates rain with colours from light blue for slight to red for very heavy to white for downpour. We got large areas of red and white. This lasted a good 30 minutes. The result was a fair few flooded patches.
Colin had planned on a longish loop via Horndean and was ready for the off when the rain had eased but not stopped. I decided to wait until it stopped and take the direct route to lunch. Gill had visitors this afternoon so headed home when the rain stopped. Anne went with Colin. Leaving the Café the rain had gathered in a nice flood under the bridge. I headed on via Finchdean and Chalton. Soon after Chalton some lighter rain started again but with a gale force squall. Rather than climb up the hill into the open I sheltered in the lee of a high hedge until the clearance came though and the sun came out. A beautiful rainbow formed among the departing clouds. I continued to lunch at Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Colin and Anne arrived 30 minutes later. Their route had taken them up to Horndean and Cathrington. Then it was up to the ridge at HMS Mercury and down to East Meon and lanes round to climb up Butser Hill up the very steep approach. Anne was happy to go that way as it was the first time she had conquered that hill.
The return was in sunshine via Chalton and Ibsworth and the long climb over the ridge to Compton. Then it was was pretty wet and muddy lanes across to the Mardens. We turned off on the lane via Upmarden to Walderton. Anne had never ridden this lane before so she had a very good day.
We headed back via Funtington and West Stoke where we split to make our separate ways home. One point to note was that as I headed back though Chichester I had to do a diversion due to a 2ft approx flood in the cyclepath underpass near the college.
Despite a fairly atrocious day I stayed dry apart from wet feet due to floods.
Including Colin’s loop in the morning mileage from and back to Chichester was about 45. My total mileage from Pagham was 51.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 18:53 GMT
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Sunday 15 November. Ride to the West Sussex CTC AGM
I was leading this ride starting at Walberton Pond with an early 9.00am start to get to Wiggonholt in time for the AGM at 10.30. After the torrential rain and gales of yesterday it was quite peaceful with light winds and sunshine and showers. I caught the edge of one shower on the way to the start but it soon cleared. Temperatures were quite mild at 14C. On the way to the Pond I had to negotiate floods, one across the main road at Westergate. It was interesting to note that at Bersted at the location of the proposed Site 6 Housing Estate there was a lot of flooding on the fields
I was joined at the Pond by Anne, Gill, Avryl, Harvey and Colin. We took the usual route up to the main road and then the lane via Madehurst up to Whiteways. On the Madehurst Lane there were about 4 locations where a tree appeared to have fallen across the road and been cut up and dragged out of the way. It was good to see that a lot of Autumn leaves had clung on despite the winds.
From Whiteways we had a fast descent to Houghton and then on to Amberley and the lanes round to Wiggonholt. Arthur, Alan, Liz, Eric, Richard and Mary attended by car. There was a good overall attendance with round about 26 in all from all Sections. Richard Bates our local CTC Councillor attended and answered various questions. Arthur chaired the meeting and managed to wrap it all up in about 1 hour 20 minutes.
All of our Section had sandwiches to eat in the Hall so I joined Arun Adur to ride over to The Black Horse Amberley for lunch. Then it was back home direct via Houghton Hill.
Mileage from and back to the Pond was 24. My mileage from home was 40.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 17:05 GMT
Updated: Sunday, 15 November 2009 17:09 GMT
Monday, 9 November 2009
Sunday November 8th '09. Ride to Stedham
Five of us met at Chichester Cross on a dismal cold grey morning following heavy overnight rain - Edwin, Colin, Gill, Anne and Avryl. Our destination was The Hamilton Arms at Stedham. We set off along Clay Lane to Funtington and then West Marden to Compton where we stopped for a welcome coffee at the village store.
It had started to rain just before we reached Compton and a light drizzle then continued until we reached Stedham. The pub was very busy and only one table was not layed for lunches but fortunately we had arrived at 12.0.and so took it over. We could have auctioned it before we left! In the afternoon the rain had stopped and the sun weakly appeared before reaching home. We had a delightful ride along quiet lanes to Cocking via Bepton and then up Cocking hill and down to West Dean for tea. We returned to Chichester along Centurion Way which was initially very puddly, meeting many dog walkers enjoying the improved weather.
Colin mends Avryl's puncture at Lavant Mileage...36mls. Avryl
Posted by RideLeader
at 12:22 GMT
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Sunday 1st November. Ride to Kirdford
Weather today was atrocious with gale force winds and heavy driving rain although this did clear by the afternoon. I decided to stay at home along with most people but I do have a report from the brave souls who ventured out regardless.
Colin was the leader and he was joined at Walberton Pond by Anne and Gill. Anne gained a puncture at the bottom of Bury Hill which was mended in a bus shelter. This however was followed by 2 more and Colin and Gill donated tubes. The group stopped for elevenses at Tiffins leaving a puddle behind!
As time was getting on and everybody had sandwiches they stopped at Ebernoe, gave Kirdford a miss and headed home.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 17:10 GMT
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Sunday 25th October. Ride to West Stoke. AGM.
The official ride today was quite short from Chichester Cross to West Stoke Village Hall for the Group’s AGM. Alan was the leader and he was joined at the Cross by Liz, Harvey, Avryl, Gill and myself (Edwin) Many more made their own way direct to the Hall, most by Bike with a total of 20 at the meeting.
The weather today was mainly sunny and warm for late October with temperatures up to 16C but with a strong SW wind.
Alan led us west out of Chichester and then up the Centurion Way. This was decorated with a carpet of fallen leaves often making it hard to see the path.
We continued up to the northern part of Lavant and then a lane to the West Stoke Road and on to the Hall. There were a few changes in the Committee. Arthur was elected as the new Chairman. Mary officially joined the Committee as Social Secretary with Dave as Deputy. Freda joined the Committee. Other posts in the Committee remained the same but Alan gave notice that after 21 years he would serve this coming year as Treasurer and then retire.
The official business started at 10.40 and finished at 11.30, so 50 minutes. We then got on with the serious business of teas and coffees served by Mary and Avryl and picnic lunches.
I suggested extending the ride by going over to the Partridge Inn in Singleton to join Arun Adur. I had only 2 takers, Colin and Gill. We rode there direct on the main road. The Arun Adur group comprised Richard, John Wickens, Dave Galle, Dave Fox and Tony Yorke. We had a chat while they had their lunch and then joined them for the return ride. Most of them were headed back towards Littlehampton.
Richard was the leader and led us back towards Charlton. I took a picture as Dave Galle was taking a picture of the group with his mobile.
We continued on the Valley road via East Dean and Upwaltham. Then it was over the Downs on the main road and a long downhill cruise to Eartham. After a short climb out of Eartham we turned off on the lane to Slindon and another nice downhill.
We turned off at the bottom onto Slindon Bottom Road. Here Dave Galle left us to head home via Amberley. Colin joined him to put in a longer loop before going home. The rest of us continued on the lane through Slindon Woods and then the underpass to Fontwell and down to Walberton. Gill left here to head home. I continued with the group as far as Yapton. While they headed back to Littlehampton I headed home along the coast via Middleton and Felpham.
The official ride distance from and back to Chichester was very short, about 10 miles. My mileage for the day was 38.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 18:59 BST
Updated: Sunday, 25 October 2009 19:08 BST
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Sunday 18th October. Ride to The Harrow Inn, Steep, Nr Petersfield.
Today was a good sunny day all day but started really chilly with a definite taste of winter and temperatures of 0C to start the day later rising to 12C. The full gloves and ear warming headband got their first outing.
I was leading the long ride today and I was joined at Chichester Cross by Anne, Gill and Colin. Linda joined us later at lunch. We rode out west from Chichester on the South Coast Cycle Route lanes via Woodmancote. Then in was over to Rowlands Castle and Finchdean. Here we started seeing the first Sportive Riders coming towards us. They were on the same route for a good part of the morning. This was a new Sportive, The Williers South Downs Sportive, the event had started in Chichester and the longer routes had ranged from Duncton and Uppark to Butser.
We headed on via Chalton and then the steep climb to the A3. Then it was down on the side road to Queen Elizabeth Country Park for elevenses. Apart from great cakes in the Café the shop there has also started selling bikes. We then headed on up to Butser climbing it from the gentle side. At the top there were great views down to the coast. Then it was a steep descent to the Meon Valley and lanes via Ramsdean to Stroud. No planes in sight, this is the sleepy Hampshire version. Then there were a lot of ups and downs to the appropriately named village of Steep. We stopped for lunch at The Harrow Inn. This is a classic old style county Pub not yet given over to the booked tables and Sunday roast crowd.
We gained Linda here who had ridden over direct and lost Anne who had to get back early.
We headed back by skirting the edge of Petersfield and then a lane to Buriton where we joined the Sportive crowd, some seeming a little worse for wear after the epic ride.
At Buriton we tackled the steep climb. Then it was a gentle downhill through the woods with autumn colours much in evidence. We gave Tea a miss and headed straight back via Rowlands Castle, Funtington, West Stoke and the Centurion Way.
Mileage from and back to Chichester was 51. My mileage for the day was 63.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 20:13 BST
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Sunday 11th October. Ride to Stansted.
Arthur led this ride and he was joined at the Cross by Lynn, Dave, Jan, Colin, myself (Edwin) and 3 friends of Arthur from the Moulton Club. Chris just made it in time arriving as we were leaving from Bell Ringing at the Cathedral making it 10 out on the day.
Weather started with light drizzle just clearing up by 10.00. It was dull all day with more light drizzle in the early afternoon. Temperatures were about 15C. Arthur led us out on Clay Lane and the South Coast Cycle Route. Then it was down to Bosham and the cyclepath alongside the main road to Southbourne. Then we took lanes through Prinsted to stop for elevenses at the Boaters Bar.
The ride today was due to go to Hayling Island. However with the weather still threatening and as we were running a little late and nobody had arranged to meet us at lunchtime we decided to divert to Stansted for lunch. Jan and Chris turned back here to get home early.
Arthur led the rest of us via Emsworth and back streets to Westbourne and then up to Stansted for lunch. Colin left us here to get in some more serious miles in the hills. After lunch we headed back via Westbourne and Woodmancote on the South Coast Cycle Route. Just before Chichester we cut down to Fishbourne for tea at the Roman Palace Tea Rooms.
Mileage for the day from and back to Chichester was 24. My mileage was 36.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 17:16 BST
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Bognor Regis Library to the Boathouse Cafe, Littlehampton Marina
After a week of torrential rain, the sun was shining for us this afternoon, which together with a light wind, provided excellent conditions for a short "beginners" ride. This ride was organised in conjunction with the WSCC's Walks & Rides programme. Some of the "usual suspects" were absent today, but I was joined at the start point by Alan and Liz, and guest riders Ryan, Lucy, Steve and Carol (some or all of whom we hope to be seeing out again very soon). I led the riders round the back of Bognor via the leisure Centre, and up to the Golf Course where we went off the tarmac and up North Lane to Flansham. We then joined the cyclepath to Barnham. North Lane is known for bad flooding and sticky mud but despite all the recent rain, it was passable today with no difficulty at all. The problem started when we got on to the track to Barnham. Notices were posted at the top of Hoe Lane stating the cycle path was closed for construction works. The way ahead was however not blocked so we went down it anyway. Rounding the first corner it was apparent that the long awaited re-building of the farm tracks into a proper cyclepath was underway. The work had churned up a great deal of mud which had to be negotiated with care; however after about 300 yards it was possible to ride on the new track which had been tamped and was ready for a top surface. We had further difficulty where the track crosses the river bridge as the approach ramp had been removed for re-construction and the bridge taped off. This required a bit of ingenuity to overcome. Nevertheless we successfully arrived in Barnham, and from thereon the ride was uneventful as we rode via Mill Lane to Yapton, Horesmere Green and Climping. At Ford Road we joined the cyclepath towards Littlehampton and dropped down under the river bridge, finally negotiating the kissing gate and into the Marina and cafe. After a suitable refreshment stop we headed back to complete a circular ride via Climping school and track to Climping Street, then briefly onto the A259 before dropping down onto more off road track via Grevatts Bridge and Ancton Wood, to emerge in Middleton and then to Felpham and home. My mileage for the round trip was 16.3 Graham
Posted by RideLeader
at 19:18 BST
Updated: Saturday, 10 October 2009 21:07 BST
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Sunday 4th October. Wiggonholt and Arundel.
Weather today was dry and sunny in the morning with cloud in the afternoon and temperatures up to 17C in the sunshine.
There were 2 rides today, a long ride to Dragons Green and a short ride to Arundel led by Harvey. On my ride meeting at Walberton Pond I was joined by just Colin and Gill. Colin had to turn back at elevenses to be home by lunchtime so Gill and I decided to go back with him and meet up with the short ride at Arundel.
I led the ride out on lanes from Walberton to the A29 and then turned off on the lanes to Madehurst.
From the top at Whiteways we headed down Bury Hill. I kept pace with the cars on the way down reaching 45 mph. Then it was lanes through West Burton and across to the B2138 for a short way before turning off on the lane to Coldwaltham. We crossed the main road which very unusually was clear of traffic. Then it was lanes to Wiggonholt for elevenses and some cake to refuel.
For the return it was the usual lanes via Rackham and Amberley. At Houghton I led the group left on a lane over the route generally known as the Khyber Pass to Arundel with great views over the Arun Valley.
When the tarmac finished the track was bone dry and no problem on road bikes. We said goodbye to Colin at Arundel and Gill and I went on to the Swanbourne Lodge Café for lunch. There had been some worries that this might be closed after we went there on a Wednesday ride a few weeks ago and it was closed. It was open today however and they told us they had shut for a holiday one week but it remains open all week all through the winter. The short ride did not arrive and I later learned that nobody had turned up so Harvey went home.
We headed back via Ford and Yapton where Gill split off to head back towards Chichester. I returned along the coast via Middleton. When I got down to the seafront at Felpham passing a café I heard a voice and there was Harvey and his parents who had cycled down from Barnham for lunch. I stopped for an ice cream and a chat.
My mileage for the day from home was 50. Mileage from and back to Walberton would have been about 34.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 17:06 BST
Updated: Sunday, 4 October 2009 17:15 BST
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Sunday 27th September. Ride to the Lifeboat Inn, Selsey.
There were 2 rides today, a long hilly ride starting at Walberton at 9.00 and a short flat ride starting at Chichester at 10.00 with both rides meeting at Selsey for lunch. I joined the long ride meeting at Walberton. The Ride Leader was Gill and we were also joined by Anne and Steve Thomas.
The great weather continued today with clear blue skies light winds and after a chilly start temperatures reached 21C in the afternoon.
Gill led us via Fontwell and then through the woods on Slindon Bottom Road. Then it was over the Downs via Eartham with many autumn colours starting to show. With great clear views we descended to Upwaltham and then on to a fast descent down Duncton Hill. We turned left to take the lane to the College. Then it was through the College grounds and on to Graffham by soon after 10.00. Then it was more lanes to Heyshott and the narrow back lane to Cocking. We stopped for elevenses at the Moonlight Café, Cocking and seemed to be their first customers of the day.
After the climb up Cocking hill it was a fast descent on the main road to Singleton and then Lavant. We took lanes past the motor circuit and then a dash across carriageways of the A27 near Westhampnett. We took lanes via Merston and South Mundham to the Route 88 cycle route to Selsey. From Sidlesham it was a fast ride down the busy main road to Selsey.
We met at Selsey with the flat ride group led by Avryl who was joined by Harvey and Peter Wilson. Freda and Jim, Kath and Alan had joined them as far as elevenses so a good turnout altogether. My mileage as far as lunch was 48.
Anne, Gill, Steve and I all had sandwiches which we had on the nearby Selsey seafront. The Pub was packed. Peter and Avryl waited an hour for a meal and ended up giving up and getting their money back. After Peter and Avryl had a look at the Lifeboat we all rode back together on our inbound route up the Cycle Route with a few Gates to sort out. I turned off near South Mundham to head home while the rest headed to Chichester for Tea at the Canal basin.
My mileage for the day was 57.
Edwin
Posted by RideLeader
at 18:03 BST
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