Today Anne was the leader but there were only two of us on the ride with myself (Edwin) being the only other taker.

The weather was better than expected and although very windy it was dry save for one short shower after lunch and even some sun.

Anne took us on a route via West Stoke where we picked up the signed route of The Southern Sportive, a major local Sportive starting in Petersfield with 800 riders. Without knowing anything about it Anne had managed to plan a route taking the Southern Sportive Route all the way to Petersfield. We started seeing riders at West Marden.

We rode via Compton and then across to the climb to Buriton with a nice ride through the beach woods on the way up.

Then it was on via Steep, very appropriate as we climbed a vertical wall and then saw the Village sign at the top. Then it was on a rolling ride with scenic views on very quite lanes via Oakshot and Hawkley. As we neared Selborne I was stung on the arm by a wasp. I think it was very ill tempered of it to blame me just because it wasn’t looking where it was going (like a road rage motorist)

I bought some antihistamines at the Village Shop, must remember to pack some on the bike. As we both had sandwiches we stopped for lunch in the Churchyard with a nice view.

Then it was the very steep, 18% by my bike computer, climb of Buriton Hill and down to Rowlands Castle for tea and some of their excellent Apple Pie and Ice Cream. The return was on the usual route via Westbourne and Woodmancote.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was 67. My mileage for the day was 80.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:22 BST

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First another HDR picture. This is one of Salisbury Cathedral taken last week. The view is looking down the Cathedral from the middle towards the West Front. The Eagle Lectern is polished brass.

To view large see this picture on flickr at

At the next window click the picture for a larger size and click “view all sizes” for the largest. See also there details of Cathedral history and the processing of the picture.

Today was the Arun Crossings Ride DA Event led by Colin. The weather forcast was quite bad and proved fairly accurate except that the rain arrived a little late at about 11.00. Those joining Colin at Pulborough were Dave and Vicky Fox, Richard Boulton, Bob Moore and John Clarke. Dave, Vicky and John left after elevenses and Chris Dart joined at Lunch.

I still have an aversion to off-road so I joined the Group for elevenses at Wisborough Green. This was at the former Penelopes Cafe, now reopened under new Owners as the Old Mill Cafe.

After elevenses the rain came on quite heavy. While the rest took to the tracks I headed by road direct to The Blue Ship, The Haven NW of Billingshurst for lunch.

I managed one picture under the shelter of a sun? shade outside the Pub as everybody was getting ready to leave.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 17:31 BST

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There were 5 of us on the Bank Holiday weekend away, myself, John Maxim, Colin, Anne and Richard Boulton.

John led us to Salisbury on the Saturday with an early 8.30 start from Chichester Cross. We rode via Compton and Clanfield to elevenses at Lotts Cafe, Hambledon. Here it was beans on toast all round. Then it was on via Bishops Waltham and Fishers Pond to stop for lunch at a Garden Centre at Brambridge.

Over lunch we had the one shower of substance which didn’t last long. We retrieved our bikes in the teeth of a pack of vicious Alsatians in a car which had parked by our bikes while we were at lunch. The bikes as well as the car were very safe from theft. On the way out we came across a man with an Owl.

Mileage for the day for me from Pagham was 75. The accommodation was separate in the Garden. Colin and I had the most spacious, a Norwegian style Cabin.

Breakfast the next morning was from the supplies in our accommodation. We gathered in the Cabin and the picture below is an HDR view.

After lunch we visited Shaftsbury’s famous Gold Hill used in the Hovis advert. This hill is seriously steep but Colin decided to try riding up it. Anne also decided to against her better judgment, very steep, wet cobbles and lichen like growths!

Below is a picture of Hovis Man and Hovis woman riding up the Hill.

Oops!  Anne comes a cropper. Luckily no injuries save for pride so nobody was hurt in the production of this picture!

After tea in Wilton we headed back to base on back roads with a big climb over downs. 50 miles for the day.

On Monday while the rest rode back I went to Salisbury to take pictures of Salisbury Cathedral. I had my SLR in the Panniers and Tripod strapped to the rack. After a few hours taking pictures I rode to Southampton to get the train back. I got to the Cathedral for opening time at 9.00 for people free pictures. By 11.00 swarms of Tourists were pouring in.

The picture below is an HDR picture of the new Font completed in 2008. The water makes a great reflection.

At the next window click the picture for a larger size and click “view all sizes” for the largest. See also there details of Cathedral history and the processing of the picture.

The picture below is an HDR picture looking down the length of the Cathedral from the West Front.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:22 BST

Updated: Thursday, 1 September 2011 21:44 BST

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Then it was to Stumps lane round the harbour path (the tide was in!) to the cafe for coffee. As we left for the Boaters  Bar, Prinsted the heavens opened and so we sheltered for quite a long time.  When it stopped and still looked rain we "abandoned ship" and returned to Chichester canal basin for some lunch.

Ray went back via Pagham and we went home catching more showers on the way.

Alan

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 BST

Updated: Monday, 29 August 2011 20:47 BST

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Tonight was the last Evening Ride of the season. Graham was away so I took over as leader, the last time Trial of the season being last week. Despite cloudy weather and a poor forecast for the evening there was a good turnout. I was joined by Harvey, Ray, Janet, Julian, John and Alan so 7 out in all.

I took a route along Limmer Lane and Crossbush Road through the Summerley Estate. Then it was Flansham Lane to the main road and across to Hoe Lane and the Barnham Cycle route path to Barnham.

As we cycled up the path the dark clouds around us had a silver lining by way of a sliver of clearer weather to the west with nice sunset colours. From Barnham we took Lake Lane towards Yapton but before that took a Pedestrian rail crossing. The light of a train was coming so we waited for it to pass. Janet was worried there were no warning lights “just the trains headlight” We continued on a rough track to the Maypole doubling their custom for the evening.

We left about 9.15 and soon afterward the first light rain arrived. Luckily however this stayed very light for the ride home which was direct via Yapton and Middleton.

A pleasant ride for the last of this years evening rides.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 10:54 BST

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First a little More about the Loire. On our last day we rode about 10 miles along the Loire, some on cycle tracks to Samur. Here we caught a train back to Blois. There were no problems with the bikes, we got 4 bikes in a space meant for 2 although other carriages also had bike spaces. Alan and Liz decided to go ahead to get to the accommodation while Peter had to go and collect the car. I spent a few hours photographing Blois Chateau.

Built in the middle of the town that it effectively controlled, the château of Blois comprises several buildings constructed from the 13th to the 17th century around the main courtyard shown in this HDR view.

For today there were 2 rides, a short one to East Wittering and a long one to Shoreham for a picnic lunch and to watch the Air Show from the Downs. Colin was the leader and we met at Walberton Pond. I joined him together with Anne, Jeff and Bea. Chris joined us at lunch and rode back with us. The weather today was warm and dry up to 23C with a fair bit of cloud but good sunny spells too.

We found a field on Mill Hill for a picnic lunch and to watch the Show.

Posted by RideLeader at 21:13 BST

Updated: Sunday, 21 August 2011 21:41 BST

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It was a windy and blustery evening and I was met by Graham and John at the Felpham Leisure Centre. Edwin joined us briefly later just as were leaving the Pub.

 I was leading the ride so I decided to head down to Bognor seafront and battle against the strong winds, we headed towards Aldwick and took in a tour of the private estates and the grand houses, then across to Pagham village and across fields to South Mundham and then up to North Mundam and the Walnut Tree pub.

 On finding a nice table in the window and opposite the bar we took some refreshment, mine being a pint of Guinness.  It was then that a young lady started dancing in an erotic manner by our table, I assumed that she had probably had too much to drink, but no when she sat down at our table she asked about our bikes and informed us that she had just completed a charity ride of 66 miles, and was now going for the London to Paris charity ride of 300 miles and all this on a mountain bike, after a long chat she decided to continue her dancing and I decided it might be a good time to leave.

Then it was straight back to Felpham Leisure Centre where I wished Graham a pleasant holiday, I would highly recommend the entertainment at the Walnut Tree pub and keep your eyes open for a young lady with long blonde hair.

Julian   

Posted by RideLeader at 08:21 BST

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Before today’s ride a few more HDR pictures from the Loire.

We stayed 2 nights at Candes St Martin at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers. On the rest day we took some good cycle routes and lanes to the medieval town at Chinon. The Chateau above the town was mainly built by King Henry 11 of England as his main residence. The day was cloudy but dry and the cloudscape of the picture below is enhanced by the HDR process.

During the week I took a short ride to the field near Pagham between Summer Lane and the reservoir to take pictures of the sunflowers just starting to bloom. Farmers here rarely grow sunflowers unlike in France. The picture below is taken using the 3 exposures HDR method.

I had already planned my own day out to the London Surrey Olympic Test Road Race at Box Hill. The race starts at The Mall, comes down to Box Hill and does 2 circuits of an 8 mile loop including the climb of Box Hill and then returns to London for the finish. The Olympic race next year will include 9 circuits of the Box Hill loop. There were extensive road closures to test next year’s arrangements.

 I caught the first train to Redhill at 06.50 which goes there direct from Bognor arriving soon after 08.00. Then it was a ride out of Redhill via Reigate on a near empty A25 towards Dorking. I knew the climb of Box Hill itself was closed to Spectators apart from one area for a few thousand allocated wrist bands. This was due to delicate plants in the area. After checking maps and viewing the area on Google Street View I choose a very sharp corner on the eastern edge of the loop where the riders would have to slow down a lot. I was there before the crowds and got a prime position on the railings for pictures.

I got quite a few pictures with my SLR as the race passed the spot twice. The first two pictures focus on the home favourite Mark Cavendish. He went on to win the race later back in London in a sprint up The Mall. The first picture was on the first circuit with a zoom burst effect added in Photoshop and centred on Mark with the Green Helmet and GB/Sky team kit.

39 miles for the day.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:11 BST

Updated: Friday, 26 August 2011 10:28 BST

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Please ring Arthur by Saturday if you intend to come on the Awayday ride to the New Forest on Sunday 14th August. Tel No 01243 774979

Posted by RideLeader at 17:29 BST

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First a bit more about the Loire trip.

From Azay le Rideau we rode the next day to Candes St Martin at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers. Our route took us north to the Loire and then along a back road on a Levee overlooking the Loire. We took a mile diversion to visit the Chateau Usse.  Because of its combination of beauty and fortress like appearance, it is believed that Perrault wrote his famous story, “Sleeping Beauty,” based on Usse.

The castle played another part in history when it stood as a model for the design of Disney’s famous Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World. Designers used this and other Chateau of the Loire Valley.

The day was dry but very cloudy and dark. You might not think it from the picture of us riding towards the Chateau. I replaced the sky with blue skies from another picture and did more editing to brighten up the picture.

Further on at Shopham Bridge we splashed through a deep flood right across the road. Another half mile further and the roads were bone dry. The lady at Tiffins said they had no rain there all day. Hot chocolates and toasted teacakes refreshed us.

Then it was on via Balls Cross and Kirdford to Wisborough Green. We met here Chris, Bob, Richard Boulton, John Wickens, Tony York and Brian and Sue.

Distance from and back to Walberton was 40 miles. My mileage was 57.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:22 BST

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Sunday 31 July. Longer Ride to Portsmouth

First a little more on the Loire and some HDR pictures. We stayed 2 nights at Azay de Rideau. After looking round the Azay Chateau for the first few hours of the morning Alan and Liz did their own ride while Peter and I took a short ride (with a big hill in the middle to the Chateau Villandry alongside the river Loire. The weather was dull and cloudy but stayed dry. Villandry is famous for its extensive Gardens as seen in the picture below.

I was joined at the Cross by Gill, Anne and Colin. The weather was sunny and warm with a SE wind.

The rest of us continued on a convoluted route taking quiet lanes via Hinton and Denmead. Then it was a steep climb up the back of Portsdown Hill coming out by Fort Dibley and The Churchillian Pub, a route I have not tried before.

Then it was a ride along the ridge of Portsdown Hill with great views looking down over all of Portsmouth. After a fast descent to Cosham we took the cycle route via the ferry port and round to Southsea common for our Picnic Lunch at the War Memorial. We arrived at exactly the same time as Harvey with Jan and Avryl. Alan and Liz had been with them during the morning and had returned home from Hayling Ferry.

After lunch the groups merged and we headed east along the front and on to the Portsmouth Beam Engine House which is open free the last weekend of every month. We had a good look at all the machinery and engines. We met Roy Wasdell there who had seen it in the Rides List and came by car.

Mileage from and back to the Cross was 61. My mileage for the day was 72

Posted by RideLeader at 21:19 BST

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John led this ride which took place on a sunny evening, pleasantly warm, and with very little wind. Joining John  were Janet, Ray, Graham, and Julian.  Edwin met us at the pub, meaning 6 out in total.

We took a route through the back of Felpham to Yapton, Ford Lane, and Tortington. However we had started out a bit late and when we reached the turning for Binstead Wood it was gone 20.30, with potentially another 40 mins or so riding. After some discussion we decided to take a shorter route straight along the A27 to Mill Lane.

This was a first for me as I have never cycled along that stretch of dual carriageway  - however apart from the first 300 yards there was a well maintained pavement for more than half the distance, ending at Binstead Mobile home park. The A27 itself was very quiet and the surface of course very much smoother than the country lanes we are used to. Crossing it without difficulty we took Mill Lane and that sharp climb up to the pub, arriving about 20.55.   

For the return route John and Edwin decided to take the A29 for a spot of fast running all the way back to Bognor. I led the rest of us back down Mill Lane and straight down to Yapton via North End, then the usual route back to  Middleton & Felpham.

My mileage for the evening was 19.0

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 BST

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There were 2 rides today. This was the short ride. Scroll down for a write-up on the long ride to Southwater.

Despite the warm sunny start to the day only 2 riders turned up at the Cross, myself and a newcomer to Chichester, Sarah Williams.  This was designated a flat easy ride and so we headed for our coffee stop at The Aldingbourne Centre via the aerodrome, Goodwood Hotel, Halnaker and Tinwood Lane.  After coffee we crossed the A27 and went through Walberton and then Binsted Woods to Arundel where we did a brief sightseeing tour of the town. 

Mileage   33 mls                           

Leader  Avryl

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 BST

Updated: Friday, 29 July 2011 09:19 BST

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First a few more pictures from the Loire. From Chenenceau we cycled 35 miles riding south of Tours to Azay le Rideau on the banks of the River Indre a tributary of the Loire. We stayed for 2 nights at a really nice Hotel a few hundred yards from the Chateau. Peter and I went to look at the Chateau from the outside while the weather was good. We found they had a discounted rate for access to the gardens after 5.30. The light was perfect for photography and among many others I took the HDR picture below.

For the long ride to Southwater Colin was the leader and he was joined at Walberton Pond by myself and Anne. For a change we were able to sit by the Pond instead of the nearby Bus/Rain Shelter.

Colin took us at a fairly brisk pace on the usual route via Madehurst and Amberley for elevenses at Wiggonholt. We sat out in the sunshine overlooking the water meadows.

On the way back Colin took on a short stretch of the Downs Link and then a lane I have never tried to Maplehurst.  Then on via Littleworth and Partridge Green to Steyning. Then it was on a route over the downs I have heard of but never tried up Steyning Borstal. The route we took on a concrete farm road closed to traffic was longer but I gather less steep than the main route. There were great views from the top, see picture below.

We rode on down to Sompting and then followed a cycle route through estate roads to Worthing seafront. There was the usual strong SW headwind. We followed the seafront towards Ferring and back streets to The Bluebird Cafe for tea.

There followed a decently intricate series of private estate roads so convoluted at times that even Colin became confused occasionally. Still we escaped the traffic and emerged on Littlehampton seafront. We returned via Ford and Yapton where I turned off for home.

Mileage from and back to Walberton was about 63. My total mileage was 80.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:50 BST

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First a few more HDR pictures of Loire Chateau. We had cycled down from Cheverney  to Chenonceau in the morning and after checking in at a Hotel went down to the Chateau in the afternoon. We started at 3.00 and it was still very busy. Only by 5.00 had it become quiet enough to get some pictures in empty rooms.

The picture below is of The Gallery. This is the feature which makes Chenonceau so famous as it is an enclosed bridge going across the River Cher which is a tributary of the Loire.

On Saturday evening there was the Club Barbecue and 20 of us enjoyed the excellent hospitality of Mary Turner. The day’s rain managed to clear before the evening.

Today there were 2 rides. The long ride was our 100 mile ride to Odiham near Basingstoke North Hampshire. Those who went on that were Colin, Anne, Sam and Ray. On a day of strong winds and frequent showers I decided to give that a miss and go on the short ride.

Harvey was the Leader and I joined him at the Cross together with Keith Dodman. The weather was windy with regular showers passing through quickly. Mostly the showers were not very heavy and we stopped briefly to shelter when it did get heavier. As we left Chichester a brief sunny spell passed through.

Then it was a short ride via Westbourne to Lunch at Stansted House Garden Centre. The new extension was finished so there was plenty of room for the usual crowds.

In the afternoon we rode the hill to Forestside and then down to the B-Road near West Marden joining the route of the Chichester Triathlon which had finished earlier in the day. We continued via Funtington. The picture below of an approaching storm was taken just before West Stoke. We caught the edge of this but nothing like the downpour which must have hit Tangmere. A road nearby was flooded with water pumping up from a drain.

The mileage from and back to Chichester would have been about 28. My mileage for the day was 43.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:45 BST

Updated: Sunday, 17 July 2011 22:21 BST

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Six of us met on this sunny but very blustery evening - Janet, Ray, Steve, Carol, Jo, and me. The ride to Sidlesham follows a south-westerly route, so this evening we had a very gusty wind against us almost the whole way there!

We went from Felpham through Bognor along the seafront to Aldwick, then Stoney Stile Lane to Nyetimber where we took Summer Lane across the fields to Bowley Farm. Then we joined NCN Route 88 across more tracks via Fisher to Chalder Farm. Officially the route then by-passses Chalder Farm, but I took the "old" route through the farmyard so that we could briefly stop on the other side of it to inspect the remains of Chalder station - formerly on the old Selsey Tramway (closed 1935). Late last year the undergrowth was cut back to reveal the old platform still in situ (the corrugated iron building long gone) - but the weeds were rapidly taking over again and only a very small portion was still visible from the road.  

We did not leave the pub until about 21.40 but the wind had almost completely disappeared and it was still light enough to attempt a return trip via Pagham harbour. We dropped down into Sidlesham proper and across more farmtracks, with only one stile to negotiate before climbing on to Pagham Wall, the embankment that runs around the west and north sides of the harbour.  Riding along this with caution, due to the bumps and the undergrowth,we were treated to an extremely pleasant view of the full moon  reflecting across the water and the mud flats, whilst nearer the old Salt House the swans were bedding down for the night.

Arriving back on the tarmac in Pagham, it was still just about light and we had not met a soul since Sidlesham.

We returned to Felpham via the Bay Estate, Barrack Lane, and, in an act of uncompromising civil disobedience, cycled the length of the prom from Aldwick right through to Felpham.    

My evenings mileage was 19.5 - over half of which was off-road in some form or another.

Graham.

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 BST

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Mileage - 38 miles          Written by Avryl who led the ride.

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 BST

Updated: Monday, 11 July 2011 13:35 BST

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First a few more HDR pictures from the Loire. These are again of the great Chateau at Chambord. The first one below is of a lavishly appointed bedroom.

We had an early start at 9.00 at Chichester Cross. I was the leader and I was joined at the Cross by Colin, Sam and Mandy. Jeff joined us at elevenses making 5 out on the ride. Any passing showers missed us and we had a dry day with warm sunny intervals.

Lunch was followed immediately by a sharp climb through the woods. Then it was lanes across to Soberton Heath and Hambledon. From here there is a steep climb on a nice little lane. Mandy and her husband have been staying in Sussex temporarily. In a few days they return home so this was Mandy’s last ride with us. I took her picture coming up and at the top she asked if I was able to edit it to make it look like she was going faster. Pleased to oblige so below is Mandy zooming up the hill.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was 58. My mileage for the day was 69.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:58 BST

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I led this ride, substituting for Phillippa.

After the previous day saw the heaviest rain I can recall for July, together with ANOTHER tornado hitting Bognor http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-14082158 this outing seemed to get off to a particularly unpropitious start.

This afternoon the rain had gone, and the sun was (mostly) out, but it was a blustery day with winds gusting at up to 33mph. Unsurprisingly it was only myself and Janet who appeared at the start point.

As we had the advantage of a tail wind, we decided nevertheless to go out to Tangmere, so set off round the back of Chichester, to end up at Church Road, crossing the bypass at the lights and taking the old road across the airfield between Tangmere and Oving. This road is rough at the best of times but today was seriously flooded, although a dry route is possible (and clearly well used) via the adjacent field. As we were by-passing the water, a car came along this narrow bumpy lane at some speed, charged through the water which I estimated to be about 10 inches deep, and spun its wheels on the mud before disappearing into the distance, barely dropping in speed. Coming from round a bend, the driver could not possibly have seen us had we been on the road negotiating the flood. A classic example of a drivers utter disregard of anything else that should be in his way. 

On arrival at Tangmere museum (via the Oving cyclepath) we caught the tail end of a reunion lunch gathering by ex members of SOE who had been stationed at Tangmere 1939-45.  Some suited, booted and badged security had been laid on and they eyed us suspiciously as we wheeled our bikes through the gathering. 

On the return route, to avoid the flood we went via Oving and intended to take a route I had not used for years which ran down the boundary of the now closed Littlemead School.  No trace of it whatsoever! The farmer had evidently incorporated it into the field and I have a suspicion it may not have been a public path but for the benefit of the school. Undeterred I recalled another path which went through the school grounds. We found this one which was easy cycling and clearly well used. It went past the derelict school buildings. Janet pointed out the "Private - no right of Way" sign which genuinely I did not see until we passed another one at the other end. However by this time we were out on the Shopwhyke road. A very useful cut through and evidently in regular  use despite being unofficial.

Janet turned for home at Shopwhyke Nurseries, towards Drayton and Bognor, whilst I had business in Chichester so decided to return there via another route I hadn't done for years, up the old Coach Road and a bridleway which parrallels the A27. This turned out to be very unpleasant. Although wide and cycle-able the undergrowth had been cut back along the entire length and the ground was absolutely strewn with Hawthorn and Blackberry thorns. I ended up wheeling the bike cautiously for the best part of a mile and counted myself lucky not to have got a puncture. I pulled 2 thorns from the tyre before getting on the tarmac again.   Fortunately they had not gone in very deep.

The round trip from Chichester amounted to no more than about 10 miles -however I at least doubled that by the time I got home.

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 22:41 BST

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