I had a chesty cough Sunday so decided not to go out. Colin was the leader and he was joined at Walberton Pond by Anne, Sam and Debbie so 4 braved the freezing blast from the east to ride to Wisborough Green.

With the weather today, Monday consisting of an all day blizzard I thought it a good idea to go back to Tuesday of last week, a brief taste of spring with sunny skies and temperatures up to 13C.

I joined Arun Adur Section for their meet at the Walberton Coffee Morning. There were 8 on the ride from there to Wellies for lunch. Ray led the ride and took us via Eastergate, Oving Road and then across the airfield to Tangmere. I left them there as I had my SLR with me with the aim of capturing some spring flowers. I settled on Boxgrove Churchyard.

Below is a picture of some daffodils with the Church in the background.

The next image is the same location with pictures of some snowdrops which has had the HDR treatment.

More detail about this image on my Photo Blog at http://edwinjonesphotography.com/blog/2013/3/boxgrove-churchyard-snowdrops

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 21:09 BST

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I went on Philippa’s ride today, a short report for completeness follows.

 8 of us at the start - Philippa, Roy, Graham, Debbie, Steve, Carol & guests Rich and Lyn.

There were very pleasant conditions with little wind, temperature about 10 degrees. Although it came over cloudy there was not a drop of rain.

 Philippa led this ride and took us up Centurian Way to Lavant station, then lanes around Lavant House School to West Broyle.  Then it was a short ride up West Stoke Lane to our tea stop at Wellies tea rooms.

 For the return route we continued up into West Stoke, then it was left into Lye Lane with a very pleasant downward incline through Moutheys Lane, Clay Lane, Fishbourne and back into Chichester.

 Accident number 3 occurred right at the end of the ride when Steve discovered a 2nd puncture, unfortunate as we had made particular efforts to get the cause of the previous puncture completely out of the tyre.

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 21:37 GMT

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I was the leader and I was joined at Chichester Cross by Jeff, Sam, Colin (just returned from cycling in Burma) and newcomer on his first ride with us Mark Jones.

I led the group out on Clay Lane on the South Coast Cycleroute lanes via Woodmancote and Westbourne. Then it was the lane down to Rowlands Castle which was closed due to flooding at the temporary river which crosses the road. We bypassed that on the raised footpath.

Then it was on to the Village Cafe, Rowlands Castle for elevenses and to warm up. We continued via Finchdean which had seen flooding with sandbags piled up. Then it was a lane on to Chalton and the stiff climb up to the crossing over the A3. Then it was up the gradual climb to Butser Hill.

At the top Sam warned Mark of the dangers of the very steep descent with gravel and Potholes. Sam then gave an excellent demonstration of the motto “do as I say not as I do” by flying down and managing a top speed of 46 mph.

It was then a short way on lanes and lunch at the Isaac Walton, East Meon.

On the way back on a lane out of East Meon I stopped the group for a Photo Shoot beside a beautiful bank of snowdrops.

Then it was the quiet lane across to Buriton and up that!! Hill. I stopped at the top and was able to catch a shot of the tail ender looking very unhappy.

Then it was the long descent and back via Finchdean and then Rowlands Castle for tea . Even the waitress said to Sam “not you again” I did have hidden motives in stopping there again, namely the very large sized Apple Pie and Custard they do there.

The return was via Funtington and then the lanes via West Stoke and the Centurion Way down to Chichester.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was 45. My mileage from Pagham was 58.

Below are some of my latest HDR photos to be processed. The first is a shot from a viewpoint on Lanzarote with a fisheye lens which I titled Small World. The second is a shot taken on the Northern part of the Piccadilly Line looking down an escalator.

More details at my Photo Blog at http://edwinjonesphotography.com/blog 

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:57 GMT

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On Tuesday I returned from 6 weeks in Lanzarote with sun most days and average temperatures of 21C. Today with a drab cloudy day never getting over 3C and a high windchill was a bit of a shock to the system.

I was expecting (hoping) nobody would turn up so I could get back into the warmth. However there were 4 at Walberton Pond, Sam, Debbie, Tony Holmes and Terry Scragg. Everybody was happy to do a shortened ride stopping at Littlehampton for elevenses and then an early lunch at the Worthing Ferring Wyevale Garden Centre Cafe.

Sorry no pictures today as I forgot to pack the Camera.

I led the group on a straightforward route down to Yapton and then across to the Ford Road and onto back roads to the footbridge and on to the Look and Sea centre for an early elevenses warming up stop.

Then on what may be a first on a Club Ride I led the group on the now authorised cycle route along Littlehampton Prom.  Not like the good old days when the coastguard used to announce on the speakers from his Tower “Get off that Bike!!!”

I followed the standard main route via Rustington and Angmering not having Colin’s familiarity with the convoluted route via private estates. At the A29 we followed the cycle path a short way before crossing the road to the Garden Centre which is about opposite the turnoff for Ferring. The Garden Centre passes the Cycle Friendly test as they were happy to let us park the bikes inside by the tills.

The return route after lunch was pretty much the same to get back home before temperatures dropped even more.

Mileage from and back to Walberton would have been about 22. My mileage for the day from Pagham was 37.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 15:59 GMT

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The ride was cancelled due to heavy rain forecast for the entire day.  Avryl (leader) and Sam R turned up at the Cross wet and cold and decided to get back home a.s.a.p

Avryl

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 GMT

Updated: Monday, 11 February 2013 12:17 GMT

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A miserable February day, no wind but a constant  drizzly rain which threatened to get worse but never actually did.
 
New member Debbie (H) was the only attendee at the start point, but to get warmed up with the temperature hovering between 4 and 5 degrees, we decided to do the ride nonetheless. 
 
We took a route through South & North Bersted out to the Chichester cyclepath, and I used the opportunity to try a new bit of refurbished path between North Bersted Street and Chichester Road. This is on the edge of the new housing development and what was formerly a narrow footpath has been re-furbished by the builders to form a very pleasant back route avoiding the main road, which appears to be cycling permissive. Unfortunately, a bit at the end has not had a surface laid, leaving 150 yards of uncompromisingly sticky mud. Whilst we negotiated this without too much difficulty, i am not recommending this route until it has dried out!
 
Then it was up the Chichester cyclepath, round the Colworth loop (not too flooded compared to last time i was up there), dropping down via Merston Lane to Runcton, and the Palmhouse Restaurant at Manor Nurseries.     
 
We returned via the Parigo / Butterlees Farm off road route back to West Meads and Bognor, the entire return route accomplished without meeting any flooding at all. However on the Lower Bognor Road we stopped to inspect my pedal which appeared to becoming detached from the bottom bracket.  Unfortunately I had no socket spanner with me so there was no alternative but to press on and hope for the best. On reaching West Meads the pedal was spinning free and was unusable. Luckily, this was towards the end of the ride, and going slowly and using just one pedal, I made it home and it was quicker than walking. A fuller inspection revealed that the left hand pedal had worked loose from the spindle and it was just a matter of re-tightening the nuts, the bolt had not sheared.
 
My mileage for the afternoon was 16.5
 
Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 GMT

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Ride CANCELLED due to adverse weather - snow ice ect ect

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 11:53 GMT

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After a day of rain on Saturday and a forecast of frost for Sunday morning it was a pleasant surprise to find mostly dry roads as a result of a biting north easterly wind.  Four of us met at The Cross appropriately dressed in many layers – Sam R, David, Gill and myself.   We headed off along Clay Lane and hence to Stansted Park via Hambrook, Woodmancote and Aldsworth with no significant puddles but inevitably potholes and some rough patches of road.  The sun came out en route and at the teashop we basked in bright sunshine albeit through glass windows.  Gill left us here and the rest of us carried on up the long drag of a hill and then on to West Marden where we stopped for lunch.

 With the sun still shining we headed off down south with the wind behind us. Very shortly afterwards we encountered several rather jolly water splashes with flooded woods alongside and of course potholes.  With the sun still shining we went through Walderton and Funtington turning off along Downs road continuing to West Stoke.  We turned off at West Stoke Road and stopped for coffee/tea at Wellies.  Meanwhile the sun had disappeared and the sky looked quite threatening.  At the end of Hunters Race we split up and headed home via West Lavant or Centurion Way. 

 Mileage   25                                                                                              

 Written by Avryl    (Leader) 

Posted by RideLeader at 20:05 GMT

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For today's ride we all converged on Avryl’s house in Tangmere for a Mince Pies start. The weather was dry, though cloudy with temperatures up to 10C.

I took a route on lanes via Colworth. With the worst of the flooding subsided I took one lane for the first time in months. I came across this view which I would call “Warning Potholes Ahead” It made me think of the Indians who put skulls on sticks to warn not to go any further.

There were 28 of us crowding into Avryl’s house and most arrived by bike.

I may have missed some but these included Avryl, myself, Arthur, Lynn, Jan, Jim, Freda, Richard, Elizabeth, David, Irene, Jim, Jan, Dave, Debbie, Alan, Liz, Diane, Brian, Harvey, Roy, Brian, Sue and welcome to 4 newcomers, Tony and Marylin Holmes and Mark Farrugia and Phillip Janson.

We were soon all tucking into coffees and a great spread of Mince Pies and other cakes.

When it came time to leave the first job was to find the right shoes or perhaps a better pair.

We all collected the right bikes outside to head off to lunch at Aldingbourne.

However it all came to stop at the end of the drive as Jan discovered she had a puncture. Arthur and some others waited while Arthur fixed the puncture. I led the rest over to Aldingbourne. I took a route across Tangmere Airfield and the road from Oving and lane though Aldingbourne village and on to the Garden Centre for lunch. John Maxim joined us for lunch.

We gathered to leave after lunch heading for home on various routes.

My latest HDR picture is of Westminster Underground station with a fisheye lens. I thought the roof looks a bit like a flying saucer.

Posted by RideLeader at 16:28 GMT

Updated: Monday, 7 January 2013 10:36 GMT

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Today was the best day in many weeks with blue skies and sun all day with temperatures up to 8C. Evidence of recent deluges was clear as I rode up the main A29 road just north of Shripney. There were 2 locations where the water was across the road as shown by the pictures below.

There was a late 10.30 start at Walberton Pond with leader nominate on the day. However nobody arrived to lead though I learned later that Ernie had arrived just after I left at 10.35.

I took the lanes up to the A29 and then turned off onto the lane to Madehurst. With no fast group to keep up with I was able to take my time and take pictures like this pretty cottage on the Madehurst lane.

Elevenses was taken with a Hot Chocolate at the Whiteways Cafe/Kiosk.

Then downhill to Houghton and flooding in the fields where the River Arun had overflowed.

With the Black Horse Inn closed down the lunch stop was at The Sportsman, Amberley. Below is the view from the Pub where the Pulborough Wild Brooks AKA Amberley Lake was more flooded than I have ever seen it.

There was a much better turnout from Arun Adur including John Maxim, Richard Boulton, Dave Fox, Ernie and Ray and Jo.

I returned on the same route save for going back via Yapton and the coast

My mileage for the day from Pagham was 36 miles.

My latest HDR image to be processed is a shot of Bath Abbey taken from the roof with a fisheye lens during the Abbey Tower Tour.

More details at my Photo Blog at http://edwinjonesphotography.com/blog 

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 17:51 GMT

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For a change today was dry with some sunshine with temperatures up to 10C. Evidence of recent deluges was clear as I rode up the Pagham Road. The picture shows the overflow from the Lavant flood relief scheme.

Arthur was the leader and there was a good turnout. Joining the ride were myself, Sam, Richard, Graham, David, Alan and Liz. Avryl joined us at elevenses so 8 out on the day in all.

Arthur led us out from Chichester along West Street and then along Appledram lane. We kept to the road as the Salterns Way path was flooded. More flood and mud avoidance followed as we took the main road before turning off to Chichester Yacht Basis to stop at the Cafe for elevenses.

Alan and Liz and I turned back after elevenses for a half day ride. Arthur led the rest via Birdham to stop for lunch at the Boulevard Cafe, East Wittering.

My mileage for the day from Pagham was 21 miles.

Next a few more HDR pictures. The first one is of a Christmas lights scene at Canary Wharf. The second is a shot of Bath Abbey taken with a fisheye lens.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 14:13 GMT

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Today was the Tinsel Ride to Barnham led by Arthur and meeting at Chichester Cross. The weather was sunny and a lot warmer than of late with temperatures reaching 10C.

Meeting at the Cross were Arthur, Richard, Keith, Dave and Jan, Sam, Avryl, Graham of the Moulton Club  and myself (Edwin) so 9 in all. Alan and Liz joined us at Elevenses and John at lunch so 12 out on the day in total. Some were into the Christmas spirit

Arthur led us East via Shopwyke and then Oving and on to the lane through Aldingbourne Village.

We crossed the A27 at Crocker Hill and then on to Aldingbourne for a welcome break. We were joined here by Alan and Liz. Arthur had 2 bright baubles on the back of his bike. Avryl commented that his balls were shining in the sunshine!!

We all gathered to set off again.

Arthur led us back via Fontwell and the underpass under the A27. Then it was down to Walberton and on to Barnham for lunch at Lily’s cafe where we took over.

We were joined there by John Maxim. Lynn also joined us there by car after having to work in the morning.

After lunch I headed straight home taking a route via Yapton and Middleton. Then back on the seafront. There were some quite dramatic clouds over the sea with long delayed showers moving in which I just beat home.

Mileage from and back to Chichester would have been about 24 miles. My mileage was 31 from Pagham.

Next a few more HDR pictures both taken with a fisheye lens. Just over a week ago I took another day trip to London for some more pictures. The first one is of a travelator at Waterloo Underground station. The second was at Canary Wharf with one of the Docklands Light Railway trains just entering a skyscraper. The shutter speed was slow to get movement in the train.

 Canary Wharf

More details at my Photo Blog at http://edwinjonesphotography.com/blog  

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 17:22 GMT

Updated: Sunday, 16 December 2012 19:40 GMT

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After a cold and wet week the weather took an unexpected turn for the better and today was bright and sunny, very little wind and temperature hovering at about 8 degrees - double what it has been!
 
Julian, Alan, Steve, Harvey, Liz with brother in law Bob, Debbie and myself all turned up at the start so 8 out for the ride is not bad for December.
 
We took a contorted back route out of Bognor via Aldwick, and then headed for open country along the Lower Bognor Road, diverting to our usual "Parigo Farm" tracks to avoid the busy twists of the road. Here we stopped for a quick photo opportunity. Then it was to Runcton and a route across the old airfield at Merston, a route with which regular evening and Saturday riders will be familiar. Doubling back across the old runway I took a path we don't use very often, a rarther sticky pathway (but only for a few yards) to join the old Green Lane and emerging at the India Gate and the cycle track following the A259. A quick sprint up the cyclepath brought us to Brick Kiln.
 
The return route took the cycletrack to the Colworth loop, where Harvey left us for Barnham, and Liz & Bob for Chichester. Then around Colworth lanes where we found the road completely submerged due to the recent rains. However it was only about 5 inches deep at worst so we got a bonus of nice clean tyres on the way home. We rejoined the cycle track to North Bersted, then back roads again via the Arena, and into central Bognor.
 
Return mileage to and from Bognor library just a tad under 15.
 
Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 07:56 GMT

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Today there was an 08.30 start Appetite Improver Ride to Compton for elevenses and then the Christmas Lunch at Hunston. As the alarm went off I wondered whose silly idea it was to put down an 8.30 start ride on a cold December day, oh yes, mine and I was due to lead it.

The day dawned with clear skies and cold, well freezing really, with a widespread frost. Temperatures were about -2 in the countryside increasing to +5 later in the morning.

Survival guide for the artic weather cyclist. Five layers including 2 coats, woolly hat under the helmet, 2 pairs of gloves. For the feet 2 pairs of socks, plastic bags, shoes and overshoes.

My plan which actually worked was to stay on B Roads, hopefully salted and avoid hills until it warmed up. However I approached Chichester with hopes that nobody else would be daft enough to turn up for the ride so early on a cold morning so I could retreat to a warm cafe. Didn’t pan out though, Sam and John Maxim turned up.

We headed off up via the Northgate Roundabout and then the B-Road via East Ashling and Funtington. I mentioned to Sam that you could tell the salted roads from the wet sheen on them, to which Sam replied unless its ice, oops.

We continued though Funtington avoiding the hill and took the next right to head on via Racton. It was a beautiful morning with bright low sunlight and white frost covering everything. We continued up the B-Road via West Marden and arrived at Compton at about 9.30. The cafe opens at 8.30. Our refreshment break/warming up break lasted for an hour. When we exited Sam’s tyre was flat as a pancake.

When we left much of the frost and ice was melted. We headed back via Funtington, Watery Lane and West Ashling. Then it was Clay lane back to Chichester. John left us there and Sam and I continued to Hunston via the Canal Path to arrive in the Pub Car Park at 12.00 precisely, better than Horsham Section!

There were 14 for the lunch with some arriving by car and others coming direct by bike. The meal was excellent, tasty with substantial portions.

My mileage for the day from Pagham was 37. Mileage from and then back to Chichester after lunch would have been about 30.

One footnote to the day. When I got home I heard a noise upstairs, first thought burglars! The noise came from the spare room/computer room and came from behind a half closed curtain. Behind it was a bird, quite big, about the size of a thrush and it had those kinds of markings. I opened a window drew the curtains and it found the way out. The big mystery is that all doors and windows were firmly shut. The loft hatch was shut, the chimney is sealed off. When I went out in the morning I shut the vestibule door before opening the outer door and the inner door was shut when I got back. Answers on an E-Card only or to me as an extra question for the Christmas Quiz by Dave and Arthur at the Club Night this Thursday.

Below are my latest HDR pictures both taken with a fisheye lens. The first is City Hall, London’s South Bank and the second is a stairwell at Embankment underground Station.

More details at

http://edwinjonesphotography.com/blog

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:00 GMT

Updated: Sunday, 2 December 2012 19:35 GMT

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After a downpour most of yesterday and last night the day started bright and sunny. On my way into Chichester for the start I took a picture of flooded roads. A little bit of Deja Vue. See the Blog entry for 3 weeks ago 4^th November, same place same flood.

Avryl was the leader and she was joined by myself, Sam, Debbie and Gill so 5 out on the day.

The morning was a mixture of sunshine and clouds and we headed east via Westhampnett and the main road via Boxgrove. Then it was lanes round to Aldingbourne for elevenses. We met there 3 from Arun Adur CTC, Richard Boulton, Dave Fox and newcomer Jerry. We were due to meet them also for lunch but they took a longer route.

Avryl led us out upwards via Eartham and then the climb on the main road. Then it was further north on the main road where we met a lot of cyclists coming the other way on an Audax Event apparently organised by Dave Hudson starting from Petworth. They were struggling up Duncton Hill as we swooped down.

Then it was the lane to and through Seaford College to Graffham. We arrive just after 12.00 just as the first spots of rain started. Note to self. If we go there again in the winter ring from the Ride Start and book a table. Everything was booked but we got the use of a table where they were not due to arrive till 1.30. Arun Adur joined us about 30 minutes later.

The Pub Garden was basically water hidden by grass. When we arrived it looked ok. When we left it was churned up into muddy tyre tracks.

It was dry when we left but the rain soon started again, light to start with. We headed back on lanes via Heyshott  Green. Avryl decided to avoid the muddy lane to Cocking and took the main road. Near Heyshott Green we again met the Audax Riders, again riding the opposite way.

At Cocking Debbie got a puncture and Sam and I did the mending in steady heavy rain. As we headed back via Singleton and Lavant the rain progressed from heavy to very heavy to downpour. There was a mention at one stage of Singing in the Rain which didn’t get very far. From Lavant we headed back different ways with the rain stopping soon after.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was about 30. My mileage from Pagham was 42.

My latest HDR picture to be processed is the light trail of a Bus on Tower Bridge.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 17:48 GMT

Updated: Sunday, 25 November 2012 21:51 GMT

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Report from Jeff Lander

Normally ride leaders keep within + or - 10 % of advertised ride distance.  But Colin  was leading the 9.30 start today to Lott's cafe  Hambledon and he is not normal, so it is best to plan for plus 1/3 .   I was up for it ( Jeff )   and so were Sam ( M) , Sam ( F), Gill  and  Ann .

All 6 of us headed out to Rowlands Castle on a perfect winter's day but no stop , onwards to that garden centre around Horndean that sells weak coffee.  After that we were led on some great back roads from Denmead  up to the ridge and then a variety of back lanes  including the cross roads where the traditional sign has been lovingly restored with 5 direction signs for 4 roads.   At this point Sam(F) thought she had a puncture but it was probably just low pressure.

 Finally we reached Lott's cafe after about 27 miles.   Fine cakes and another dubious coffee    ( although I refrained apart from finishing off GIll's bread pudding and consuming some of Sam (F) chocolate drops)

 After lunch we rode up the steep hill we enjoyed coming down and then meandered though some empty Hampshire lanes just east of Droxford before crossing  over the A3 and  down  and up to  Chalton , onto Forestside then Rowlands Castle cafe for our first real coffee experience . We arrived back into Chichester to a glorious sunset and only 4 miles over the advertised 50 miles.  A memorable day . As the rock anthem says 'One day like this a year will see me right'

Jeff

Meanwhile I (Edwin) was due to go to the Bognor Regis Cycling Club (Time Trial Club) Annual lunch in Felpham. Not to miss out on a beautiful day I decided on a morning ride first. I set off soon after Dawn, panniers laden with 2 SLR Cameras to take some Autumn Colour shots near Slindon.

The first two are down a track from the main road on the Spur climb.

Upwards into the trees.

Zoom blur in the Camera.

This one is looking along the Slindon Bottom Road, my favourite lane.

30 miles for the ride plus another 10 for riding to and back from the lunch. On the way back riding along the prom it was a magnificent sunset, all reds and purple. Err Noooo Camera!

Below is another HDR shot taken with my fisheye lens on my last day trip to London from next to The Lloyds Building.

Edwin Jones

Posted by RideLeader at 21:01 GMT

Updated: Monday, 19 November 2012 21:05 GMT

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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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