Every year I get a request to start the summer programme of evening rides off with a Tour of Bognor.  Every year support is patchy and this year, as last year, there were only 2 of us, myself and Julian.

It was a lovely sunny evening with no chance whatsoever of rain, but there was a sharp south-easterly wind which perhaps put people off.

Undaunted, the two of us set out. The tour is designed to be a short run through the back streets of Bognor covering some territory cycle rides don't normally do, and preferably finding somewhere that even Bognor people haven't been before.  

As might be expected, we did a fairly circuitous route down to Elmer, through the University grounds and central Bognor, Aldwick, Bersted, Felpham, Middleton, Ancton and Elmer, using some back alleys, side roads, and even some off roading at the Glenwood. A nice little run of about an hour and as dusk fell we arrived at the Elmer pub.

It all went wrong however on leaving the pub for a 10 minute sprint home when I discovered a flat rear tyre. A quick inspection indicated it wasn't going to be a quick fix, would not hold any air at all and must have happened pretty much instantly whilst pulling up at the pub.

I set off on foot for the 2 mile push home whilst Julian headed back to the leisure centre where he had left his car. I was half a mile from home when he pulled up alongside and kindly loaded my bike on his rack. So in the end I wasn't home much later than expected.

A further inspection of the damage has, surprisingly, failed to find any obvious cause; I will have to strip the tyre off and that will have to wait for the weekend.

Mileage for the evening was 10.3 (including the push).

Graham  

Posted by RideLeader at 23:54 BST

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Weather today was excellent with calm winds, clear blue skies and temperatures reaching a summer like 18C.

The longer ride started from the Cross to Hambledon. I (Edwin) was the leader and I was joined by Avryl, Anne, Gill, Colin, John Maxim and John Parkinson a newcomer out on his second Sunday ride with us. He was out on a very smart looking recumbent trike.

Riding into Chalton we rode up the first of a number of steep climbs encountered during the day. Then it was down a little before climbing up to the A3 crossing. Then down to Clanfield. John P was slower on the hills but outpaced everybody on the downhills with his lower profile. Then it was a long climb to HMS Mercury and a ride along the ridge above East Meon. From here it was a lot of meandering narrow lanes on remote downland and down to Hambledon.

We arrived at Lott’s Cafe but found they were closing early so had to make do with snacks from their shop. John P demonstrated that he didn’t need a seat from the Cafe.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:58 BST

Updated: Sunday, 18 April 2010 19:18 BST

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Seven of us met at Walberton Pond. Our leader Colin was joined by Anne, Avryl, Edwin, Gill, Harvey and Rex. Alan and Liz joined us for Elevenses and lunch and Chris Dart was just in time for the Freewheel competition and rode back with us after lunch.

Weather was mainly cloudy with sunny intervals in the morning and mainly sunny in the afternoon. It was very chilly early on with a strong NE wind but warming up by the afternoon to about 15C.

Colin led us the usual route via Madehurst and Houghton and then Amberley to stop for elevenses at Wiggonholt. We met the rest of the DA there with riders from Horsham and Arun Adur.

We all left together making a good sized group of about 20 making us very obvious to the motorists. We made our way to West Chiltington and then left at the X-roads to climb the hill to the start of the freewheel competition. Everybody was convinced to get together for a group photo at the top.

Graham from Arun Adur won it and Gill was fastest lady. 7 rode it from Arun Adur, 8 from Bognor Chichester and 5 from Horsham.

Anne, Further than last year

Colin Aerodynamic profile

Graham, Speeding to Victory
 

We had lunch at The Queens Head, West Chiltington and it was really good to see Dave Galle who joined us there assisted by Louise.

After lunch the various groups split up. Colin led us on some lanes, across a sandy Golf Course and then pretty lanes to Storrington.

Then it was on to Parham House and then Amberley and Houghton. Apart from Anne we all went on the Khyber route with good views down to the Arun Valley.

Then it was on to Arundel to the Putting Green Café. The generous portions of Apple Pie and Ice Cream served there were very welcome.

We returned via Ford with a good tailwind. I split off at Yapton to head back via Middleton and the coast. Mileage from and back to Walberton was about 42. My mileage was 56.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:34 BST

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A beautiful spring afternoon, sun shining and apparently not much wind - although there was a bit of a sharp easterly breeze on the way back.

Seven of us met at the library - myself, Alan, Julian, Phillippa, Carol, Steve and Hayley - and we wound our way round a bit of a tour of Bognor to West Meads then out on the Lower Bognor Road.

Then we turned off the road and headed over the tracks at Parigo Farm, re-joining a somewhat busier road at Lagness, before turning off again at Runcton on to Green Lane and around the perimeter track of the old Merston Aerodrome. From there it was a short trip through a copse of trees and an un-made track (Green Lane again) to emerge by the busy A259 dual carriageway, directly opposite Wyevale Garden Centre.

Crossing this road proved to be easier than we thought, and we went into the garden centre for the tea stop at the Garden Restaurant. Here Edwin had just arrived and was waiting for us.

 With Edwin joining us for the return journey, we headed straight down the Bognor-Chichester cycle track, through Colworth to North Bersted. Here Edwin, Carol, Steve and Hayley left, whilst the remainder of the group carried on via Stroud Green and onto the schools campus by special request of Phillippa who wanted to inspect her old school, Michael Ayres Junior.   She was sadly disappointed as Michael Ayres and the associated Glade infants School were both demolished shortly after Christmas 2009. However we looked at the sites and inspected the  new replacement junior/infant school as well as the enormous secondary school building being rapidly constructed all around.

From here it was a short sprint via The Arena back to Bognor town centre and the library.

 My mileage for the afternoon was a modest 17.6. For the circular trip library back to library, the distrance would have been approx 12.4.

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 00:23 BST

Updated: Sunday, 11 April 2010 00:46 BST

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Today the ride was led by Gill and she was Joined by myself (Edwin) and newer members Roger and Barry.

The weather was fairly good, mainly sunny and dry though with a chilly NW wind. There were bits of showers around in the afternoon but no more than spots.

Gill led us out from Chichester via Westhampnett and past the motor race circuit which was busy with a special event. Then it was on to the quiet climb up Pillygreen Hill. I spotted, pretty difficult to overlook, a new sculpture outside Sculpture at Goodwood. See picture below. Do you think that could be a specially strengthened Trike?

Then it was on to the lanes via Bepton to Midhurst and a stop for lunch at Ye Olde Tea Rooms. This was a good venue with some decent food at reasonable prices. Most of the tables were booked though and we got the last free one.

In the afternoon it was various lanes via South Ambersham and a fair few ups and downs on a pretty route to Graffham.

After tea we headed home our separate ways.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was about 35. My mileage from Pagham was 46.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:08 BST

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Weather today was reasonable, dry though cloudy and reaching a mild 12C. The forecast rain held off until evening.

Now back from a much warmer Lanzarote I led the ride and I was joined at the Cross by Anne, Gill, Sue Howe and Richard.

We took a route out via Clay Lane and the South Coast Cycle Route to Westbourne. Then it was a cyclepath and estate roads across to Emsworth to stop for elevenses at The Greenhouse Cafe. We were able to sit outdoors, a great improvement I gather over recent months.

Richard left us here to return home. The rest of us continued via Havant. After a special request from Anne who had Hill withdrawal symptoms we rode up Portsdown Hill with some great views across Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight. We had a brief stop in the car park at the top while I took a few pictures.

Then it was on past Fort Widley and then a long downhill to Cosham. Here we picked up the cycle route over to go past the continental Ferry Port. Then it was over to Gunwharf Quays and The Custom House Pub.

The return route was along Southsea seafront and on to the Hayling Island Ferry and a wait of about 20 minutes. The tide was flowing out like a fast river. Once over to Hayling it was various lanes and then across the Hayling bridge using the cyclepath. Then we took a path along the waterfront passing a Swan keen to peck anybody passing within range, definitely a Swan with an attitude problem.

We came out near Havant and then back to Emsworth for tea. Although only 3.00 the Greenhouse Cafe was closing so we moved across the road to Heidi’s which stays open until 4.00.

After tea the return route was on the main road apart from a loop on lanes via Prinstead.

From and back to Chichester distance was 45 miles. My mileage from Pagham was 56.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:00 BST

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The weather today was fairly pleasant, sunny with light winds and temperatures up to 11C

Colin led the ride and a good turnout was attracted. Colin was joined by Linda, Chris, Anne, Jeff, and Rex.

Posted by RideLeader at 22:15 BST

Updated: Monday, 22 March 2010 10:09 BST

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After recent weeks the weather today was fairly pleasant with light winds and temperatures reaching springtime levels of 12C.

Harvey led the ride and was joined by Sue Howe, Alan and Liz and newcomers Barry Marchant and John Parkinson.

Posted by RideLeader at 21:14 BST

Updated: Tuesday, 16 March 2010 23:15 BST

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Today temperatures were about 22C with clear blue skies and a NW wind strong enough to keep the heat down a little.

With little traffic on a Sunday I decided to take a different route out up a B-Road which climbed gently first to Macher and then on a steep minor road to Asomada. Height at the top was 1200ft and my bike computer read a 5 mile climb, good warm up!

After a short stretch on the central main road I turned off onto the quiet Tinanjo road which crosses an extensive lava field. I stopped by a view of a Volcano and walked a little way into the lava field to get some different viewpoints for pictures.

I continued on the nice smooth tarmac with a bit of a push against the wind. At Manca Blanca I turned off on another road heading south with a tail wind. This took me through the Timanfraya National Park. After passing the central volcanoes area I stopped at the start of the long descent across the lava field to Yaiza for pictures which was well timed as a group of cyclists climbed towards me.

I stopped for 11.30s at a square in Yaiza for half an energy bar. Then it was onwards and upwards back to the plateau with a 400ft climb up to the wine growing area of Geria. With the lack of rain the vines are planted in depressions which are made with low walls round to trap dew.

I then took the central main road along the plateau to San Bartoleme and a great 6 mile descent to the prom at Playa Honda where I had a picnic lunch. The last 5 miles along the prom was taken fairly slowly with a plane spotting sunbathing break, an Italian Ice Cream break and a café break.

42 miles for the day.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:47 BST

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Not the best of days with temperatures managing only 6C and rain for much of the morning and early afternoon.

Not surprisingly only Anne joined Colin for the Clubs ride to Wiston.

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 GMT

Updated: Tuesday, 2 March 2010 20:59 GMT

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Today was sunny and warm with temperatures rising to 24C. There were some streaks of thin high cloud to moderate the intensity of the sun. I decided on an early start about 8.45 to get some of the climbing done before it was too hot. My destination was the mountain town of Haria in the north. This involves a 1000ft climb to the plateau in the centre of the Island and then another 1000ft climb to a high point in the northern mountains at 2000ft. Then a descent of 1000ft to Haria and another 1000ft descent to the coast and return via Costa Teguise.

The first part of the route was on little trafficked minor roads first up to Tias and then further up to the central plateau. Here I turned onto the central main road which has more like the traffic of a quiet B Road in the UK. This took me past the central town of San Bartolome and then on to the old town and former capital of Teguise.

From here it was a long climb to the top at 2000ft. First it was gradually up a valley and then steep up past a row of wind turbines. Before the top I turned of on a minor road for La Nieves which is a few houses and a Church situated on the edge of massive cliffs dropping 2000ft sheer to the beach at Famara. The view from here takes in the West Coast of the Island and the plateau and volcanoes to the south. A picture does not do it full justice so below is a link to a YouTube video I uploaded. After playing the Video use Back on your browser to return to this page.

A lady who was at the viewpoint asked me had I really come all the way up here by bicycle. Yes from Puerto del Carmen I told her and she was seriously amazed. Even more amazement when I told her it took just 2.5 hours.

I continued on the back road to rejoin the main road and pulled in at a café situated at the edge of a steep drop looking down to the East coast. This is a Mecca for cyclists riding up here and I had a late elevenses of pie and fruit juice. Then it was down to Haria with many hairpin bends which make for a spectacular view.

I descended down to the coast and then followed the main coast road for a while before turning off on a back road to return via Costa Teguise, Arrecife and the coastal cyclepath.

57 miles for the day.

Scroll down for local Club Rides.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 GMT

Updated: Saturday, 27 February 2010 13:21 GMT

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On Wednesday of last week the 10^th February I had a fairly long ride

 into the Mountains to the north. I stopped for elevenses at La Nieves, at a viewpoint at some rocks on the edge of 2000ft cliffs dropping down to Famara on the Western coast. The picture shown below looks south along the West Coast towards La Santa in the distance.

That week ending 13^th February my mileage was 150. This week it will

be a lot less. For 5 days from last Sunday to yesterday a series of fronts crossed the Island bringing showers or longer periods of rain and gale force winds. It was the worst weather here in the 5 years I have come to Lanzarote. It was a bit like an English Summer with the only good thing being that at least the rain was warm with temperatures on some days reaching 24C.

It was a real shame for all the families coming here, half term week.

Today at last the weather returned to normal with sunny skies, light winds and temperatures of about 22C.

I took a ride on back lanes via Tias and Conil to the central Plateau at 1000ft. Then it was along a nice smooth road with little traffic across the Lava fields near their northern edge. I stopped for a sort of photo shoot among the rocks.

 Then it was various back roads to San Bartolome in the centre of the Island. I stopped here to check out a noise coming from the back wheel. I was alarmed to discover a tear in the inner side of the rim around a spoke hole.

The rim was out of true but still rideable. I took the 5 mile descent to the coast at Playa Honda fairly carefully trying to avoid braking on the rear wheel. After a picnic lunch on the prom I stopped off at a Bike Hire shop. Anne will remember the one and the really helpful man who repaired her bike last year. He sold me a rear wheel and swapped the block and tyre and adjusted the gears all for 30 euros. All of this done in 30 minutes while I had a drink in the café downstairs. Great relief to get it sorted.

32 miles for the day.

Scroll down for local Club Rides

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:39 GMT

Updated: Friday, 19 February 2010 19:51 GMT

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There were only 2 cyclists on the ride from Walberton Pond. Colin was joined by newcomer Rex Dunham. Gill also came to the start in her car as she was down to lead.

The longer ride to Arundel went well. Rex is a keen cyclist but he prefers flat areas not hills.

The weather was cold and grey with temperatures rising to just 5C. However there was no traffic so a good ride. Harvey (slow ride) did not turn up at the lunch stop at Arundel so presumably there were no takers for that ride.

John Maxim met the group for lunch.

From a note by Colin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:43 GMT

Updated: Friday, 19 February 2010 19:39 GMT

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A cold wintry afternoon today; temperature never got above 4 degrees and a biting north wind made a 2nd pair of gloves a "must have" accessory.

However it wasn't raining and there were 7 hardy starters at the library - is this a record for a February afternoon?

I set off with Alan, Liz, Julian, Steve, Lucy, & Ryan and we headed via the seafront towards Aldwick. Alan and Liz had business to stop off at along the way, so they left us to go via the Chichester cycle track and catch us up later. Meanwhile the rest of us carried on via Stoney Stile Lane to Nyetimber where we picked up Summer Lane to take the bridge over the Rife and the field tracks on to Runcton.

Having crossed the bridge, the ground was solid and rideable until we rounded the field edge and came across something that definitely wasn't there the last time I took this route.  A large reservoir (presumably intended to service the needs of the farm business.. unless the famer has diversified into trout farming) had been constructed in the field next to the track. As a result of the recently completed construction, the track was pitted with tyre tracks, mud and puddles, and to the edge, where the land had been made good, was soft earth, no good for cycling or walking! 

Negotiating the track by the new reservoir.

look at the size of it!

We continued on, perhaps reflecting on Alan & Liz's decision to take an alternative route. However carefully watching our step meant we weren't as wet or muddy as perhaps we could have been.

 A short sprint later and we were in Bowley Lane, where an overspilling stream allowed us to clean our wheels off.

Ten minutes later and we were at the tea stop, arriving almost at the same time as Alan & Liz.

 Our return route was down the very busy Lower Bognor Road (roadworks and delays at North Bersted mean this road is carrying greatly increased traffic), but we diverted off via Parigo Farm (a closed, but not locked, gate being another new addition) and arrived back at Bognor without further incident.

My mileage for the afternoon was 18.

Graham 

Posted by RideLeader at 19:33 GMT

Updated: Monday, 15 February 2010 23:23 GMT

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9 persons turned out at the Cross on a cold ,cloudy but dry day with no wind to bother us.

 Very encouraged after all the awful weather recently. We went via the quiet back roads and tidal road to Bosham for coffee before carrying on via Westbourne to Rowlands Castle.

Most went indoors for refreshment at the tea rooms. There we met up with old member Peter Bond, out with his young 6 year old daughter on bike and kiddy bike attachment, from Havant. Nice to see him after a long absence.

Posted by RideLeader at 21:51 GMT

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The last week here has seen a good variety of weather. Last Sunday was warm and sunny and I got in a good 55 miles into the northern mountains up to 2000ft and 4000ft of climbing for the day. On the way over there I saw a giant flying saucer settling down onto the mountains!

The early part of the week turned a little more unsettled. Monday morning it actually rained for 2 hours (horrors!) Tuesday and Wednesday were dry but fairly cloudy. Then Thursday, Friday and Saturday there were clear blue skies. All week even, on the cloudy days, temperatures were around 22C.

Then today (Sunday) there was a lot of haze especially in the morning and it got seriously hot. Online weather records for the Island showed it got to 27C today and it felt like it.

A few weeks ago I paid a visit to the Cycle Shop in Arrecife and bought a sleeveless cycling top and also a buff to use as a headband or cap to stop sweat dripping in the eyes. Both came in useful today.

I set out early soon after 9.00 and cycled up to the main road and up to a roundabout near Uga. Then it was left up a very steep climb on the road to Fermes which is a village in the mountains south of Puerto del Carmen en route to Playa Blanca. The climb later levelled out and continued more steadily up a high valley. I was probably climbing twice as fast as the majority of club members would have with some notable exceptions such as Anne. It was put in perspective though when 3 German cyclists flashed past me at about 3 times my speed.

At the top in the village there is a nice café overlooking the precipitous road going down the other side. I stopped there for elevenses, pineapple juice and a donut. Then it was onwards and downwards taking care on the first part of the descent, probably about 25%. I was not going to Playa Blanca today but turned off at a roundabout for a fast descent down the side of the mountain. Then it was under the main road and onto the El Gofo circuit past lava fields. After a bit of a climb I stopped at a viewpoint looking towards the mountains I rode over earlier.

I continued back to Puerto del Carmen for an Italian Ice Cream. The sea was calm as a mill pond and reminded me of a rare hot summer’s day in the UK.

47 miles for the day.

Scroll down for local Club rides.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:37 GMT

Updated: Monday, 8 February 2010 08:45 GMT

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Last week temperatures were very high for the first 3 days at 25-26C and later in the week 23C. This week though it was cooler at only 20C most days and stronger winds.

Today is was sunny with scattered clouds and again about 20C. I took a back road out of town up to Tias at 700ft and then another back road between old volcanoes up to the plateau at 1000ft. I stopped at a junction for a quick elevenses stop of some raisins from my bar bag. Then it was a fast ride along the super smooth main road which nearly gets as many cyclists as cars on it.

I stopped at El Golfo for a picnic lunch on the beach. The village is mainly restaurants serving the tourist trade come to view the adjacent crater which has been half eroded by the sea.

40 miles for the day.

Scroll down for local Club Rides

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:25 GMT

Updated: Thursday, 28 January 2010 19:35 GMT

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