The meeting point today was Walberton pond. I was the leader and I was joined by Anne and Jeff. We had an early 9 AM start. The weather was sunny though cold. Temperatures about 10 C but there was very little wind. There was a little mist over Walberton Pond in the cold of early morning.

As everybody in the group was what you might call a fast rider I set a very fast pace as I wanted to be at Pulborough in time to put out the paperwork before everybody arrived. We took a route out of Walberton and then up to the A29. Then we rode along the lanes via Madehurst with beautiful Autumn colours.

As a change from the usual route I then headed from Whiteways down Bury Hill and then onto lanes eventually coming out at Fittleworth. From there it was a fast ride along the A272 to Pulborough Village Hall.

The AGM went very well with about 18 attending. Jeff Lander chaired the meeting. The existing committee was re-elected without change. After the meeting we got ready to leave from the handy bike park just outside the hall. Barbara looked quite surprised to be photographed.

All sections went to the Rising Sun at Nutbourne for lunch. Jeff, Anne and I first went to Nutbourne Pond for our sandwiches. This was a very pleasant spot in the sunshine and autumn colours.

For the return ride I let our group with the addition of Colin on the usual route via Amberley and then on to Houghton. We returned via Madehurst and stopped for tea at the new Forge Cafe at Slindon.

The ride from and back to Walberton was 30 miles. My mileage for the day was 50.

My latest HDR shot to be processed was taken on a day trip to London, a week ago. It is of Shepherds Bush underground Station one of the few with a central platform where 2 trains moving can be caught at the same time

It gained 12th place in the Flickr 500 most interesting Photos of the day it was uploaded, out of about 2 million. It has been viewed so far 1400 times.

Edwin Jones

Posted by RideLeader at 19:07 GMT

Updated: Sunday, 11 November 2012 19:08 GMT

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There were 11 people at the start of the ride (is this a record for November?)  Carol, Steve, Debbie H, Christine, Roy, Lisa, Avryl, Elizabeth, new rider Liz, Graham, and William, who led in place of Philippa.
 

Posted by RideLeader at 21:39 GMT

Updated: Sunday, 11 November 2012 19:16 GMT

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Sunday morning started off with torrential rain and gales, not promising. There were 2 rides planned today, a 9.30 start from Walberton for a long ride to Wiston and a 10.00 start for a short ride to Littlehampton.

With a promised improvement for later I decided on the short ride and indeed by the time I left it had stopped raining. Chichester was showing the effects of the deluge.

After battling against headwinds the Leader, Harvey was the only other to turn up. We headed out via Tangmere battling winds and floods! Well, not quite as we had a great tailwind. There were however many places where water was all across the road and sometimes water flowed off over laden fields down the roads. At Barnham Harvey led the way on various back streets I had not tried before to come out at the back of Lilies Cafe, Barnham for elevenses.

Then it was on via Yapton and Ford to stop for lunch at The Boat House Cafe, Littlehampton Marina.

With the sun now out and decreasing winds we returned on different lanes via Yapton to stop for tea at Harvey’s where his parents had just lit a warm log fire. I then returned home via Colworth and North Bersted. I call the picture below of fields flooded next to the main road at North Bersted, “Water, Water Everywhere”

Mileage from and back to Chichester would have been about  30. My mileage from and back to Pagham was 40.

Over the last week with the occasional sunny day I had rides with the camera to take Autumn shots. Last Saturday week I headed over to Arundel. This one was taken with my Fisheye Lens looking up. It gained 12^th place in the Flickr 500 most interesting Photos of the day it was uploaded. It has been viewed so far 1260 times.

The next one was taken last Tuesday when I explored round the Pulborough area. This was taken at a pond at Nutbourne at the end of a dead end lane.

See further at http://edwinjonesphotography.com/blog

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 17:40 GMT

Updated: Sunday, 4 November 2012 17:44 GMT

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There were 2 rides due to start from Chichester Cross, a long ride led by Sam to Lodsworth and a short ride led by Avryl to West Marden.

Jeff and I arrived for the long ride. Sam was waiting at the Cross but unable to lead due to a heavy cold so he headed home to get warm.

Jeff and I decided to combine with the short ride. Avryl was the leader and we were also joined by Harvey and Chris. So there were 5 altogether on the short ride.

We then took the loop round Chidham. Chris who had only planned to come out for part of the morning left us at this point.

We continued on lanes to stop for elevenses at Stansted. Then it was the long gradual climb between the autumn leaves on the trees up to Forrestside. Then down to The Victoria West Marden for Lunch.

To be sure of getting home before dark we took a direct route back via Funtington and West Ashling. We stopped for tea at the Cloisters Cafe, Chichester Cathedral. This was the first time here for all of us for many years.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was 30. My mileage from Pagham was 44.

The last 2 HDR pictures to be processed were both from the La Defense region of Paris, the commercial area. The first is a pedestrian bridge between Skyscrapers.

The next is a nearby roof over the centre area of a circular office block which looks like a giant spiders web.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:58 BST

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The ride to the AGM today was quite short with a start at Chichester Cross to go to West Stoke Village Hall. Unfortunately there was only myself Richard and Rex at the start of the Official Ride. Luckily more went there direct and we had a total of 14 at the meeting.

The weather today was cloudy but mainly dry with temperatures up to 14C.

I led the group west out of Chichester on Clay Lane and then a lane north to East Ashling and then lanes over to West Stoke.

All the Officers on the Committee were re-elected unchanged.

We had a long discussion about the possible closure of the Emperor Way Cyclepath to Fishbourne which the CTC has just started a National online Campaign over.

The meeting went fairly quickly and after a picnic lunch in the Hall we made our ways back on different routes.

My mileage for the day was 24.

Below are my latest HDR pictures to be processed. First last Sunday evening during a break in cloudy nights I took a Star Trails picture from my back garden using my Fisheye lens. This was 1 hour 30 minutes of 2 second exposures.

The next one is an edited view of the Orbit Tower at the Olympics made to look like it is coming into Earth Orbit.

More details on both pictures at my Photography Blog at http://edwinjonesphotography.com/blog

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 15:08 BST

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The day started cold and sunny. It stayed sunny all day with temperatures reaching 13C.

I was the leader and I was met at Chichester Cross by Sue and relative newcomers Angela and Andrew. Alan and Liz later met us at elevenses before returning so 6 out during the day in all.

I took the standard route out on the South Coast Cycle Route lanes to Woodmancote and Westbourne. Then it was paths and back streets to Emsworth and an early elevenses at The Greenhouse Cafe where we enjoyed the sunshine.

Just as we were leaving Sue shouted out “puncture” so it was back to the Cafe for the mending most of which I did with co-operative contributions.

Then it was on to Havant and the start of the Hayling Billy Trail to the bridge. The tide was fully in which made for great views. Then it was lanes via Northney and West Town and on along the front to The Coastguard Cafe for lunch.

The return route to the bridge was fairly similar before taking the coastal path with lots of ducks and swans to view before taking a lane which came out to the west of Havant.

Then it was a bit of main road before lanes to stop for tea at The Boaters Bar, Thorney Marina.

After lanes from Southbourne we returned to Chichester via West Ashling.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was 39. My mileage from Pagham was 50.

Below are my latest HDR pictures to be processed. The first one is the main Hall of the Natural History Museum with a Fisheye Lens.

The next one is another from the Olympics of the Orbit Tower again with a Fisheye lens.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:43 BST

Updated: Sunday, 14 October 2012 18:44 BST

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I was the leader and I was joined at Walberton Pond by Colin, Gill, Samantha and Roger. John Maxim joined us at lunch so 6 out during the day.

The weather started cold but sunny and stayed mostly sunny and warming up until lunch. There was more cloud in the afternoon.

I led out via Fontwell, Slindon Bottom Road and up to Eartham. We stopped near Eartham to assist Samantha whose tyre had an insufficiency of air.

Then it was on to the main road where there were far too many fast cars due to the first of the month sports cars breakfast Club meeting at Goodwood.. It was on and down Duncton Hill before turning off on lanes via Barlavington and Coates. We rode on beautifully quiet sun dappled lanes.

Then it was on to Fittleworth to stop for elevenses at Aylings Garden Centre Cafe west of Pulborough.

Then it was on via Pulborough and West Chiltington and lanes via Broomer’s Corner to Dragons Green. Roger joined John for lunch at the George and Dragon. The rest of us took our sandwiches to the back of the nearby Scout Hut.

After lunch we headed back on lanes via Ashington, Warminghurst and down to Storrington. Then it was through Parham Park and on to Houghton for a pleasant tea stop by the River.

Then it was up the big hill and back via Slindon to Walberton.

Mileage from and back to Walberton was 46. My mileage from Pagham was 65.

Latest HDR pictures are below.

The first one is an HDR edited version of the Pont de Gard Roman Aqueduct from my Ventoux Tour.

Below is an image taken of the train crossing the Arun at Ford early morning on the day of one of my Olympics visits.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:37 BST

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There are 4 of us on this trip, Edwin, Peter Wilson, Dave Fox and Richard Boulton. We travelled to Dieppe last Thursday with bikes on Peter's Car. On Saturday we travelled down to our base for 7 days at St Didier close to the foot of Mont Ventoux. Athough there is free wireless Internet at our Gite and Peter has his laptop unfortunately I cannot copy to it the photos taken while cycling with my compact camera as there is no device to read an SD card. I do however have a device to read the different memory card on my SLR Camera so a few of those pictures have been added to this Blog. The cycling pictures will have to await my return in a week.

We arrived at our Gite here last Saturday. Our accommodation is not exactly Spartan as can be seen from the picture. We have all of the house with 4 bedrooms.

From the weather forecast we decided that last Sunday was the best day to launch our assault on the summit of Mont Ventoux. Dave decided not to do it as he had ridden up it before and Peter decided to ride only the lower slopes. Peter drove Richard and I with the bikes the 25 miles to the start point at Sault. The day started sunny and clear but high cloud gradually moved in to cover the very top. The climb is 27 Kilometres with the last 6.5 klm's the steepest by far where the road climbs above the tree line. We eventually got to the top where Peter had driven up and took our pictures in the cloud which covered to top 50 metres of the climb. We cycled down back to Chalet Reynard and then a different route down on a steep winding descent to Bedoin and back to base. 39 miles and 3910 ft of climbing.

On Monday we did a great half day ride into the peaks of the Dantelles mountains with some spectacular hilltop villages.

On Tuesday it was car assisted with the bikes to Pont le Gard a spectacular 3 arched Roman Aqueduct.

After viewing the Aqueduct we rode an afternoon loop on lanes to the west. This include a town called Saint Maximin!

Today was wet with showers and high winds so we went by car to Avignon and viewed the Popes Palace used to house the Pope when the Papacy moved from Rome to Avignon for a period in the 14^th Century. The picture shows one of many great Halls.

Tomorrow we plan a bike ride over the Col de Murs near Ventoux.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:44 BST

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There were 2 rides today, a long ride to Milland and a short ride to Selsey. Anne was the leader and she was joined at Chichester Cross by myself, Colin, Samantha, Debbie, Sam, Chris and newcomer John so 8 out in all. The weather was dull but dry and reasonably warm at about 18C.

The first destination was Petersfield for elevenses. Anne led us via West Ashling and Funtington and then the B Road via West Marden and Compton. Then Anne led us across on the lane to Ibsworth and north and up the beautiful lane through the Beach Trees to Buriton.

It was then direct to Petersfield and a stop for elevenses at Costa Coffee in Petersfield Square.

Then it was a hard but worthwhile loop to the west. The newer members might not have noticed save for our crossing over the A3 twice and getting the definite feel of going round in a circle.

We took lanes out of Petersfield to the north. This included a climb which my bike computer recorded as 16%, the steepest of the day, very steep as confirmed when we got to the top to see the Village sign for Steep. Then it was pleasant rolling lanes with fine views down across fields to the East. Then back across the A3 and down to Liss where we had a long wait at the Railway Crossing. Colin looked especially bored.

Then it was more beautiful quiet lanes to Rake and on to Milland. We stopped for Lunch at the Milland Shop Cafe next to the Pub.

Arun Adur Club were due to meet us for lunch but nobody turned up.

The return route was on more quiet lanes and then down to Stedham. We took a lane down towards Didling and then more lanes towards Cocking. We got a good view of farming activities on this lane. First a heard of cows crossed from the farm to the field across the road.

A bit further on we encountered a cyclist mangle. Luckily he stopped. Those of us at the front managed to just squeeze past while those at the back found a retreat a bit wider. The picture is from the front looking at the back of the machine as the tractor headed off.

We returned via Cocking and the main road to West Dean. Everybody decided not to bother with a Tea Stop and headed back on the Centurion Way Cycle Path.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was 51. The feet climbed during the day was 2276ft so what they call high quality miles.

Below are my latest pictures to be processed from my Olympic Park trips. First the side of the Basketball Stadium with a long lens and turned on its side to look like a landscape.

Next the Olympic Stadium and Flame with a Fisheye Lens.

Next the view from the Orbit tower. I got lucky with a booking slot at Sunset and a very good sunset.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:39 BST

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Today’s ride met at Chichester Cross, I was the leader and I was joined there by Colin, Gill, Sam, Samantha and newcomers John and Angela. The weather was hot and sunny, up to 25C only clouding over after tea.

The day was notable for Colin’s first Club Ride on his new bike, an Airnimal.

I took a route out via the Centurion Way Cyclepath and then West Stoke and Funtington. Our route happened to take us on the same course as a major Sportive, the Southern Sportive which has 4 distances up to 120 miles. We were often passed by other riders. We continued to Rowlands Castle and they turned off our route just after this. We stopped for elevenses at Horndean Garden Centre Cafe.

Then it was mainly quiet lanes via Cathrington and taking us north of Waterlooville and Denmead. We continued via Worlds End and Hipley. After a few more lanes we started the big climb of the day to the top of Portsdown Hill which looks down on Portsmouth.

After regrouping at the top it was a sharp descent and down through the town to Portchester Caste. This is free to enter save for the Keep and we rode through the gates and down to the waterfront for a picnic lunch.

On the way back heading out of town we stopped at a junction when there was a sudden very loud baaaaang. Car backfiring, gunshot, bomb – no it was Samantha’s bike tire exploding. Colin had used a mini track pump to put a lot more air in it at lunch as it was quite soft. Unfortunately Samantha had too small a tube in there so it was already stretched and the extra pressure proved too much. Luckily only the tube was damaged not the tyre so it was soon replaced.

We continued back up Portsdown Hill and then along the ridge road with fine views over Portsmouth. Then down to Havant and on to Emsworth and Tea at Heidi’s.

After tea the return was via Westbourne and the South Coast Cycle Route back to Chichester.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was 51. My mileage from Pagham was 62.

Yesterday I visited the Olympic Park for the 4^th time, this time to the Olympic Stadium on the last day of competition at the Stadium. There are few pictures below. I got there early and was able to get to the Olympic Flame before going to my seat.

Below is a Fisheye lens shot of the Stadium.

Below a shot with a longer lens of the start of one of the 100 metres Heats.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:46 BST

Updated: Sunday, 9 September 2012 21:51 BST

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The ride on Sunday was starting from Pulborough Station for the DA Event the Off Road Arun Crossings Ride, going to The Haven near Billingshurst for Lunch.

The weather was cloudy with spells of drizzle occasionally progressing to heavy drizzle but clearing up by midday.

The ride did not start off well. Colin and Samantha caught a train to Pulborough from the coast. Unfortunately Southern had put on 12 coach trains whereas normally it is 8 coaches. Colin was in the rear 4 which missed the platform at Pulborough. They had to take the bikes up the corridor and over seats to get to a carriage further up to get off at Billingshurst.

Colin did not have mobile numbers for anybody at the start and none of the riders at the start had Colin’s Mobile number. Colin assumed riders at the start would go on the elevenses stop at Wisborough Green. The riders at the start assumed Colin had missed the train and would be on the next one an hour later, oops.

After the next train produced no Colin Bob took over as leader.  Luckily somebody had printed out the2008 route directions from the DA Website, came in useful at last! Everybody eventually met up at lunch. In the circumstances everybody who was at the start was given the full 10 points for DA Events purposes.

Meanwhile as I no longer do off-road I missed all this and caught the train to Billingshurst (in the correct coach) On the way up a bunch of kids with BMX bikes got on. They adopted a novel approach to getting the maximum number of bikes into one entranceway.

I got to the Haven just as Anne arrived. She also came direct though all the way by bike. When I parked my bike I spotted a mouse, clearly not too well as it stayed put to have its picture taken. Its day was not improved when Liz arrived and didn’t spot it and put her bike on it. Gill picked up a stone and was about to put it out of its misery but it knew what that was about and scampered off into the bushes.

After lunch Colin took over as leader to take the off road riders back to Pulborough.

Last Saturday 1 September I went to the Paralympics to the Velodrome. I had a ticket to the morning session and there was a fair bit of excitement with 3 world records broken and a British Gold Medal.

This was an overview of the Velodrome taken early before most of the crowd arrived. This was taken with my brand new 8mm Fisheye Lens.

 In the Kilometre Tandem Time Trial, Neil Fachie and Barney Storey en route to a Para Cycling Word Record and Gold Medal win. The noise from the crowd as they did this was awesome.

 Jody Cundy in the Pursuit Qualifying. He went on to win Bronze in the afternoon in the C4 Pursuit Finals.

My latest HDR picture was from Paris in July. This is the EDF building which has a large canopy over the entrance. From underneath it looks just like the Saucer Section of the Starship Enterprise.

See a larger image at http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinjones/7898763056/in/photostream/

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:18 BST

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Today was Bank Holiday Sunday and the only fully dry day of the long weekend. The day started with clear blue skies with more cloud building up in the afternoon.

Avryl was the leader and she was joined at Chichester Cross by myself, David and Keith. Arthur and Lynn joined us later for lunch. Di and Brian joined us by car for Lunch with Di not able to cycle yet after her latest accident.

We rode on the lanes round to Bosham Hoe and then round the Harbour where I took most of the pictures today. Always a scenic spot especially on a sunny day with clouds scudding across the sky.

The tide was fully out so I suggested to Avryl that we take the path across the Harbour.

The low tide boats and sky required a picture.

We stopped for 11’s at the Arcade Cafe, Bosham. It was really busy but we got a table in the sunshine and Keith set about the Crossword.

We continued up to the main road and then the cyclepath alongside before more quiet lanes round the Chidham loop. Then it was inland and on the South Coast Cycleroute lanes via Woodmancote. At Aldsworth we caught Arthur and Lynn. Then it was on to lunch at Stansted.

The return ride was fairly direct passing near Funtington and then down to the South Coast Cycleroute lanes and then cutting down to Fishbourne Roman Palace Cafe for tea. Di and Brian again joined us there.

It was then a short ride back to Chichester and our own routes home. Mileage from and back to Chichester was 27.

Below are the latest 2 pictures processed from my stay in Paris for the Tour de France finish. Both are taken near my Hotel in the futuristic La Defense business district.

More details at http://edwinjonesphotography.com/blog

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:16 BST

Updated: Sunday, 26 August 2012 21:55 BST

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Harvey was the Ride leader and he was joined at Chichester Cross by myself, Alan, Liz, Arthur, Lynn and 2 of Arthur’s friends from the Moulton Club so 8 out on the Ride.

Harvey led us west from Chichester and then picked up the Saltern’s Way Cyclepath to Chichester Yacht Basin. We stopped here for elevenses. Alan and Liz left us after elevenses as they needed to get back early. The rest of us continued on lanes and paths via Birdham Pool and picked up the Saltern’s Way path again over to West Itchenor.

 Then it was a lane south and a crossing of the Main Road to West Wittering. This was a solid traffic jam with cars heading to the beach, bikes were the better mode of transport. We continued on a quiet lane to East Wittering and lunch at the Rendezvous Cafe. Harvey and I had a picnic lunch on a green on the front. We watched the flashes of a thunderstorm out a sea. We got the edges of it with some heavy spots but from the wet roads later in the afternoon it looked to have hit land at Bognor.

By the time we headed off after lunch the sun was out again. Harvey led us on some back streets to Bracklesham with some kids running after us shouting Wiggo. We were not quite up to that speed, maybe we need longer sideburns.

Then it was lanes via Earnley and a lane and path to come out on the main road by the entrance to the RSPB Pagham Nature Reserve. We took the cyclepath from there alongside the Harbour to Sidlesham. The tide was fully in making for a beautiful scene instead of the more usual mud flats.

We continued across fields on the Route 88 cyclepath to Runcton and Merston and then on to stop for tea at the Brick Kiln Nursery Cafe.

Mileage for the day from and back to Chichester was about 26. My mileage from Pagham was 37.

Below is my latest picture. This is of the Rainbow Tower Sculpture in Paris taken when there to watch the Tour de France, I have used the Warp tool in Photoshop to warp and curve the base of the Tower.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:34 BST

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Last Thursday 9 August I got to visit the Olympic Park. The first and second rounds of tickets distributed in lotteries were vastly oversubscribed and my applications for the Velodrome got nowhere. However this year when extra tickets came up for some events I got a ticket for the BMX, men’s quarter finals.

This picture below was taken when they were warming up and I liked it for the appearance it gives of them jumping over the Games Maker Volunteer who is actually on a nearer part of the track.

My seat was located near the finish right next to the final bend which gave good photo opportunities.

During my visit I also explored the Park. Apart from the beautiful architecture of the various Stadiums the River Lee and various canals run through the Park. The bank sides have been beautifully landscaped with wild flowers as in this shot along the bank of the canal running past the Olympic Stadium. This canal bank path was about the quietest part of the Park, away from the “maddening crowd”

Below is a shot of the Basketball Stadium.

I stayed on into the evening to get night shots including the Orbit Tower.

And the Olympic Stadium.

On Saturday I led the Beach Picnic Ride from Bognor Library to Elmer Beach. It was a beautiful and warm day save for a strong easterly wind. Only Julian joined me at the Library but Alan and Liz went direct. We sheltered in the lee of a Groyne. The water was close to low tide and coming in.

Nobody bothered with a swim. The ride out was on a lot of back streets and a more direct return.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:47 BST

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Last Wednesday I took the train up to London to watch the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Cycling Time Trials and of course watch Bradley Wiggins win gold.

I checked out the route on Street view and found a quiet fairly narrow suburban street to be nearer the riders with a green park as a background. This was far enough away from Hampton Court to avoid massive crowds and waving flags and cameras getting in the way of pictures.

My Union Jack was put on the railing and was accompanied by more as others arrived. The crowd here was about one deep as opposed to 6 deep on many other parts of the Course.

I set the camera to continuous shooting and a high shutter speed to get them as sharp as possible as they sped past at 30 mph. I took multiple shots of each rider and about 700 altogether. All led up to Wiggo coming past.

Below is my favourite straight out of the Camera without editing.

More details on my Photo Blog here

 http://edwinjonesphotography.com/blog/2012/8/london-2012-bradley-wiggins-golden-ride

After the last rider went past I walked about a mile and caught the finish on a big screen.

The ride today was to the DA Picnic at Wisborough Green. The weather to start with was not too promising with a series of torrential downpours early morning until about 8.30. However in the end most of the day was dry with occasional warm sunny spells.

I was the leader and I was joined at Walberton Pond only by Samantha. However Chris joined us at Petworth  and Colin Alan and Liz joined at Wisborough Green so 6 out on the day.

The route out was via Eartham and then the main road via Upwaltham and the sharp descent of Duncton Hill. Then it was pleasant lanes via Barlavington and Shopham Bridge. Either side of the Bridge there were big floods with the road looking like a river.

The plan was to stop at Tiffens in Petworth for elevenses but this was closed. Richard Boulton, John Maxim and Chris arrived there at the same time. We joined them and went on via Balls Cross to stop for a late elevenses at Kirdford Stores Cafe. This proved to be a good stop as soon after we arrived another torrential downpour started.

Sorry for this picture which caught some people unawares, Chris looks to be asleep and John looks to be strongly disapproving of having his picture taken.

Then it was on to Wisborough Green where we met 4 from Horsham Crawley and Dave Fox and his daughters. The weather was warm and almost pleasant for the picnic.

 We went for a coffee at the Cafe at Wisborough Green.

The return route was via Adversane and West Chiltington and a stop for Tea at Houghton Bridge Tea Rooms.

Return mileage from Walberton Pond was 43. My mileage from Pagham was 61.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:34 BST

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Before getting on to this weekend first a word about last weekend in Paris. 2 of the pictures shown in the Blog for the Tour finish have since been edited adding blur or Zoom effects. These images are below.

On Saturday Anne and I went up to the Men’s Olympic Road race at the Box Hill Circuit. Other members also went though generally  staying up there or by car including Mary, Gill and John Rigarlsworth.

Anne and I took the same train from Chichester the first one at 05.19 to Gatwick. For the period of the Olympics Southern are blocking Bikes on Trains any further north than Gatwick. For the weekend of the Olympic road races this was extended to no further north than Horsham except for trains going via Hove where the limit was still Gatwick.

We cycled from Gatwick on a Cyclepath out of the Airport and then north on lanes to the western end of the Box Hill loop near Betchworth. No great problem in distance, about 14 miles. We arrived at 8.00 about 4 hours before the race was due to arrive. The sharp corner I had planned to use was already full so we got a spot a short way up from there.

My 5ft wide Union Jack was set up in the hedge alongside 2 others. Then my flag was a little overwhelmed when somebody else arrive with a 12ft wide flag using by bike as one attachment point. In the picture my flag is first to the right from the big one.

Some of our neighbouring spectators got to work with the chalk on the road.

There was great atmosphere before the race with great crowds arriving by foot and many by bike.

When police motorbikes started going round there were great cheers from the crowd and some of them waved back. One of them did a sort of dance on his bike.

The great advantage of the Box Hill loop was that the riders came round 9 times. Also we were on a very narrow lane so the riders were very close. Most of my pictures were taken with a lens set at between 10 and 16mm.

Here is a selection of a few out of the 600 pictures I took during the day.

Below is my favourite with Wiggo as the main subject. I did a little (well a lot really) of editing to add pan blur in Photoshop and exclude the cyclists from this effect.

After the event we cycled south on lanes via Horsham. I decided to get the train back from there while Anne cycled all the way home. Soon after leaving Box Hill we spotted in the village of Brockham the Church doing teas, an irresistible tea stop.

Today, Sunday there were 2 Club Rides organised due to meet for a picnic at Southsea. Colin led the long ride though unfortunately nobody else turned up. I joined the short ride led by Avryl. Also joining for this ride were Arthur, Debbie and 2 more from the Moulton Club.

Everybody except for Avryl and Debbie planned to return from Elevenses so Avryl and Debbie also decided to.  The ride out was on mainly on cyclepaths along the A259 via Southbourne to an elevenses stop at the Greenhouse Cafe Emsworth.

The return was back to Southbourne and then pleasant lanes to Chichester. The coastal area avoided the heavy storms a short way north so a generally sunny day though cooler than of late and a strong SW wind.

Distance was 20 miles from and back to Chichester. My mileage from Pagham was 30.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:46 BST

Updated: Sunday, 29 July 2012 21:51 BST

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Notes by Graham for John

John was the leader today and he was joined at the start by Julian, Graham and Edwin. John took a route via back streets north of the A259 to Flansham and then the main road to the turn off for Yapton. Edwin turned for home here not yet being fully recovered from his virus.

Then it was on via Yapton, Walberton and Mount Noddy. Carol and Steve had made their own way and met us there. On the return ride we came back via Level Mare Lane and Barnham, at which point we decided to take the cycle track back to Felpham.

Half way up Church Lane on the way to the start of the cycle track, I realised I had a puncture. It wasn't completely flat so we pumped it and I made a bolt for home. However it was flat again before the bridge, so we pumped it again. At this point John discovered he also had a puncture. We pumped it and kept going. After we both went flat  I pumped for a third time and this got me down to Hoe Lane at which point the tyre had detached from the rim. Meanwhile John had done the sensible thing and stopped to change the tube - I didn't have a spare with me!

 I pushed the bike for the remaining mile-and-a-bit home, no-one else passed me on the way as they were all assisting John to change his tube in the pitch black.  I eventually got home at 10.55 having done 20.6 miles (including all the pushing).

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 20:11 BST

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One thing to consider if you want to get a good viewpoint for the race to take photos is that all the best spots are taken by about 9.30 and all the railing spots are full by 10.30. The race arrives soon after 4.00 so about 7 hours of waiting for a good view. I travelled prepared with a lightweight folding stool, Kindle, and a copy of Cycling Weekly.

I checked out various viewpoints from pictures taken on the internet of earlier races. I settled on a sharp corner on the Rue de Rivoli. On the circuit this is just after the riders emerge from the Louvre Underpass. They then take the sharp turn into the Rue de Rivoli which leads up to the Place de la Concorde and the Champs Elysees . I choose this location over the Champs Elysee because of the better field of view without the trunks of Trees in the way as well as double railings there.

There is normally a fast Metro Service from a station close to the Hotel to the Centre. Today however this was closed and I took a replacement bus service. Getting off at the Arc de Triomphe I walked down and followed the Gendarmes directions to divert round the excluded area by the finish line. Next snag was that my first choice of the side of the corner on the Rue de Rivoli, a square with a good view of the underpass, was barriered off contrary to other race years from the pictures I had researched. Plan B was the other side of the corner also known as Norwegian corner. I was there soon after 9.00 and was early enough to bag my railing spot and also attach my 5ft long Union Jack to the railings. I soon felt a little like a cuckoo in the nest with my Union Jack surrounded by many Norwegian ones. However we were cheering for the same team with their hero being Norwegian National Champion and Sky rider Edvald Boosson Hagen.

I need not have worried to much about getting bored as a whole lot of French racers turned up to do what looked to be an imitation race up and down the Rue de Rivoli for what looked to be a film.

I was well sorted for the photography. I had 2 SLR cameras. One was set up on a Gorillapod a flexible small tripod which has bendy leg sections to wrap around things like lampposts and railings. An ordinary tripod would not be possible in the crowd. The object was to fire off 2 camera’s at once when the race arrived. One zoomed in to one spot and another on another spot with a wider lens. The riders would move from one cameras viewpoint to the next. Surprise surprise it did actually work. As the race arrived fingers on 2 triggers, cameras set on continuous shooting . Sorry, I know, clever clogs you’re thinking!

Anyway here are some pictures, a few of hundreds –

Lead out Wiggo, Boosson Hagen and Cav

Wiggo and Cav

Cav

All pictures are out of the camera, no processing yet

After the finish I headed up the Tulliers Gardens to point overlooking the Place de la Concorde. The presentations were not visible in the restricted area but could be seen on a big screen.

Then it was back to the Champs Elysee. Many Brits were draped in large flags including me, great fun.

The riders and team managers were heading up the Champs Elysee for the Team Photos at the Arc de Triomphe. Many were taking their own photos of us and this great occasion while we photographed them.

I returned on the Eurostar today, Monday

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:39 BST

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