The weather today was clear and sunny until cloud built up in the afternoon. The problem was the temperature which struggled to reach a maximum of 7C with a bitter NW Wind. The rain forecast for mid afternoon luckily was much delayed not arriving until evening.

Arthur couldn’t make it so I was the leader and despite the cold 9 others turned out. I was joined by Sam, Bill, Graham, Bob, Alan, Nick, Linda, Mark and newcomer Steve Wiles.

We headed out via West Street and Clay Lane among beautiful Autumn colours. Then it was on via Woodmancote and Westbourne to stop for elevenses at Poppins Cafe Havant.

Then it was on down the Hayling Billy cycle trail and the cycle path over the bridge to Hayling Island. Then it was on via the lane to Northney to our lunch stop at Meadow Farm Nursery Cafe. Despite the time of year and our arriving at 12.10 the cafe was nearly full inside so we adjourned outside which was just about doable in the sun with all coats on. (Memo to future leaders. Ring to reserve a table when at the start)

For the return route we retraced via Northney and the bridge and then took the path along the waterfront before turning off on a path heading back towards Havant. At this point Graham had an incident whereby something caught in his rear derailleur bending it and breaking it. He then locked up his bike and caught a 700 bus to Chichester 5 minutes later and returned for his bike by car.

The rest of us rode via Emsworth, Westbourne and Woodmancote. We then took a minor road to come down west of Bosham and took the old road alongside the A259 and the cyclepaths to Fishbourne and back to Chichester. Mileage from and back to Chichester was about 28. My mileage from Pagham was 40.

Next a bit of cuteness with 3 Harvest Mice taken at a Camera Club workshop with various small animals brought to the hall last Tuesday.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 17:36 GMT

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The weather today was sunny most of the day though with a chilly easterly wind.  Temperatures started out at 6C rising up to 12C.

Most people went direct to the AGM at West Stoke Village Hall. However I led a ride starting 9.30 at Chichester Cross. I was joined by Russell, Bob, Arthur and Keith.

We headed out on West Street and then the Centurion Way north to join Hunters Race Lane just before Lavant. Then it was more quiet lanes to West Stoke village hall for the AGM. The official meeting started at 10.30 and continued to 11.45 and included a lot of discussion about Cycle Routes. We stayed in the Hall for a Picnic Lunch with Tea and Coffee prepared by Dave and Jan.

In the afternoon  I was joined by Russell, Colin and Harvey for a short ride on the lanes to the west.

The ride from and back to Chichester would have been about 17 miles. My mileage from Pagham was 29.

On Thursday evening I joined a Camera Club Trip to the Sloe Fair at Northgate Car Park Chichester. No Photoshopping. The colours are all as seen and the movement is the Ride going round and up and down captured with a long shutter speed. Needless to say I only photographed, did not go on any rides.

For a larger pictures and more details see https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinjones/30483297535/in/dateposted-public/

Edwin 

Posted by RideLeader at 17:25 BST

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There were 18 of us meeting at Bognor Library for today’s Ride

The weather was sunny with a cool easterly breeze. I (Carol) led the ride out of Bognor via Arun Leisure Centre, cutting through the new housing estate and picking up Hoe Lane to ride up the Barnham Path. At the Murrell Arms we turned right and made our way through Yapton turning left into Horsemere Green Lane. At the T junction we turned right  towards Littlehampton crossing the road into Rope Walk to cross the Arun on the Footbridge and on to the Look and Sea Cafe for our stop for Tea

Steve led the return journey home. We departed at Felpham and Graham led those left back into Bognor.

It was lovely to meet some new riders that joined us today.

Carol and Steve

Posted by RideLeader at 19:24 BST

Updated: Saturday, 22 October 2016 19:44 BST

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The weather today started with bright sunshine in the morning though with more cloud in the afternoon. A chilly start at 9C warmed up later to reach 15C.

Sam was the leader and he was joined by Jeff, Russell and myself so 4 out on the day. The Chichester Half Marathon started at 9.00 today and we briefly watched them go past along East Street.

Due to renovation work on Chichester Cross our start point had to be moved to the Nat West Bank on East Street in the sun to warm us up. Before we left Jeff made technical adjustment No 1 to his bike  as he needed to lower his saddle after getting it back from a Service.

We headed out up North Street on a route to avoid the Runners. Then it was up the B-Road along Old Broyle Road before turning off onto a lane, West Stoke Road and over Hunters Race before Technical Adjustment Stop 2 for some more Saddle fiddling.

After passing through West Stoke we passed the Kingley Vale car park and at Woodend stopped for technical adjustment 3 to sort wheel noises. Sorry Sam, I caught you at a bad moment!

500 yards further on we stopped for technical Adjustment 4, sorry I lost track of the cause but it was the last.

We continued through Funtington and then it was the B-Road via West Marden and on to Compton for our elevenses stop in the sun trap beside the Cafe. Another Cyclist kindly took the picture of all 4 of us. Sam looks a little awkward as he was trying to hold in his tummy.

I headed back from elevenses while the rest continued via Harting to the Hamilton Arms, Stedham and a meet up with Arun Adur.

My mileage for the morning from Pagham was 35.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 15:36 BST

Updated: Sunday, 9 October 2016 15:38 BST

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We set off in overcast but warm weather, which turned increasingly blustery and sunny as the day progressed. Top temperature was 18C but it felt warmer.

 We set off up the Centurion Way before taking the usual roads to our elevenses at Compton. Sitting in the warm autumn sunshine watching large groups of cyclists going up the road was a very pleasant way to pass 20 minutes prior to setting off for Rogate, via South Harting. For once the wind was in our favour and we were wind assisted for an easy ascent of Harting Hill, arriving at Rogate for an early lunch on one of the benches behind the still closed pub.

 For a change we cycled north and west from the White Horse, with a short but unavoidable section of A272 before heading south via very quiet roads and faraway sounding destinations, through Quebec and Goose Green, roads with grass in the centre and more walkers than cars. Then onto Nursted and winching ourselves up the steep ascent of Buriton Hill leaving a quick run into Rowlands Castle and then back to Chichester for an early finish to the day's ride.

Mileage for the day's ride was 46 miles.

Posted by RideLeader at 18:55 BST

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The weather today was pleasant with hazy sunshine and temperatures up to 20C with a southerly wind.

 it was a very good turnout with 20 of us at the start point including some newcomers.

Graham was the leader and was able to show off his very cool new Ride Leader Jacket branded with Cycle Bognor, Facebook.

Graham led us through the back streets of Bognor, to the new estate at Felpham, where we joined the Flansham to Barnham cycletrack with a brief stop to regroup by the Church.

From there it was on via the new cycletrack to  Walberton. Our route continued through Binsted and then beyond the tarmac and a short off-road climb where I waited for a Photographic ambush.

Then it was past the Madonna pond and up the road through the woods to join Tortington Lane. Then downhill a little before taking the cut through to some estates and down towards Arundel.

Then it was 200 yards of pavement, under the bridge to Fitzalan Road, and into Arundel Town Centre. We then went on to Grounds Cafe, which made for a very pleasant stop.

We took a shorter route back via the Ford Road and Yapton, then via Bilsham to Middleton & Felpham. People peeled off a various points leaving a smaller group to ride back via the Summerley Estate and Bognor Seafront.

 The round trip mileage from and back to Bognor library was about 23, a little longer than our normal Saturday afternoon rides.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:53 BST

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3 of us out on today’s, ride Colin leading with Sam and myself.

Pleasantly warm, about 19C most of the day with decent periods of sunshine.

Colin led us  at a good pace  down Houghton hill, through Rackham and West Chiltington to our morning stop at Whisper's, Billingshurst. 

Fortified by tea and bacon rolls, Sam and myself did our best to hang onto Colin's wheel, as we sped ever faster  towards our lunch stop at Dial Post - how the small peloton missed Edwin's presence - surely, he would have issued Colin with a yellow card for 'Ungentlemanly conduct'  at this point. The average speed for the ride was now 13.5 mph and rising

Following a relaxed lunch break on the bench opposite  a very quiet Crown Inn, Dial Post we set off for home. Colin was now on fine form, leading the group through a series of scenic country lanes at NBVS (near bicycle vaporizing speed, Einstein's 4th law). This has the effect of slowing time and sure enough by only 14.15hrs we had arrived at the  afternoon tea stop, the Amberley Village Cafe. Despite the rapid progress Sam was still on battery number one, however just to be sure he ordered a huge slice of coffee cake to restock his energy levels.

From there we ascended the Khyber, remarking how good the northern end of the bridle path is before going our separate ways. A great ride through archetypal Sussex countryside starting to show just the first hints of autumn.

The return mileage to Walberton Pond would have been about 60 miles.

Russell

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 BST

Updated: Monday, 19 September 2016 07:22 BST

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The weather today was dry and mainly sunny with temperatures up to 20C and a light southerly wind.

The Leader was Sam who was joined at the start by myself, Colin and Jeff. Chris joined us later making 5 out in all. Our usual start and seats at Chichester cross was blocked off by repair work being done to the monument due to last for 10 weeks. We met instead at a nearby seat.

Sam lead us out on Clay Lane and the usual South Coast Cycleroute lanes via Woodmancote and Westbourne. Then it was on via Rowlands Castle and Finchdean. Riders on the Southern Sportive were coming the other way. We turned off for the climb over the Downs via Ditcham Park School. At the top is especially remote from everywhere and notably quiet.

After descending to a short paved section of the South Downs Way we took in a steep descent with hairpins down to the B2146 near South Harting. . After a short ride towards Petersfield we turned off onto more out of the way lanes via Goose Green (2 houses)

Then more lanes to the A272 and straight across to Durleighmarsh and a short way up a lane to Durleighmarsh Tea Barn on the grounds of a farm for elevenses. As we were leaving Chris arrived to join us. I left for home at this point wanting a shorter ride. The rest continued via Hill brow to the Queens Head, Selborne for lunch.

My return took in West Harting, South Harting and Elsted to turn off onto the lanes at the foot of the Downs via Didling and on to Cocking. On the way back I stopped off at West Dean to look at where the planned new exit will be to the new section of the Centurion Way, currently a dead end. The plans with the planning application show this on the SE bank of the old railway bridge down to the lane to Chilgrove from opposite the Pub. There will be steps with a wheeling ramp for bikes. Below is a stitched panorama of shots. It looks like the steps will follow the existing path coming up from the bottom right of the picture. Rather than then follow the old path shown in the picture the steps will go on to the far left and then take a right-angled right turn to climb the bank to the path.

The mileage for the main group from and back to Chichester would have been between 60 and 65. My mileage from and back to Pagham was 53.

My latest picture is a shot taken in July at a small Wildflower Meadow by West Park Bognor.

For more details see

https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinjones/29430361502/in/dateposted-public/

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 17:52 BST

Updated: Sunday, 11 September 2016 18:01 BST

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Today was the last DA Event of the season with the Off-Road ride led by Colin starting from Pulborough. It was a cloudy though it stayed dry with a SW wind and temperatures up to 20C.

I do not do any substantial Off Road any more so I met the group at elevenses and lunch. I took the took the train to Billingshurst and rode to meet for elevenses at The Old Mill Cafe, Wisborough Green. Numbers were well down on the usual with just 5 attending. For a change Bognor Chichester had the most attending with Colin, Jeff and Sam. Just Bob for Horsham Crawley and Paul from Arun Adur.

I kept to the road again as the others took to the tracks. The following shot was one by Jeff at one of the Arun Crossings before lunch.

We met up again for lunch at The Onslow Arms, Loxwood. The Pub is at a very pleasant location beside the canal.

Jeff sorted out a puncture over the lunch break and then Paul found he had another one as everybody started to leave.

From lunch I headed to Horsham to get a train back and got into the spirit of things by using a section of the safe to ride Downslink Path.

The official ride from and back to Pulborough was about 35 miles. My mileage from Pagham and from and back to stations was 28.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:44 BST

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The leader today was due to be Jeff for a planned ride to Northchapel. However Jeff fell off his bike on Saturday and sprained his ankle (get well soon Jeff)

Jeff had been unable to find an alternative leader so I went to the start to tell anybody who turned up that the official Ride was off, Only Sam was at the Cross and as neither of us wanted a long ride or to go to Northchapel we settled on a morning only ride to Aldingbourne. Sam was out on his electric bike, now his regular one.

The weather today was much cooler than of late, mainly cloudy with scattered showers with a strong SW wind and temperatures up to 19C. We headed out with a good tailwind via Westhampnett, and lanes via Strettington and Waterbeach to start the climb up Pillygreen. Sam was generally very restrained, riding alongside me except for one part of the hill where he piled on the electric power.

At the top it was right and along the ridge with good views down to the coast. Then it was a long fast descent via Eartham. We were caught out only once by a shower near RSPCA Mount Noddy a short way from the elevenses stop at Aldingbourne and welcome hot drinks.

After elevenses while Sam headed back into the Downs for some offroad I headed south for home via the Barnham – Flansham Cycletrack. My mileage for the day from Pagham was 31.

After the Olympic success my latest processed picture is one taken at the Paralympics at London 2012.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 14:59 BST

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Steve and Carol were joint leaders today for the ride to Brick Kiln Nursery, 25 riders left Bognor Regis library a special welcome to the young riders Nyree and Nel and Ben who rode all the way from Coldharbour to be with us.

We decided that as there was such a large group to split into two. I would lead the first with my back marker Julian.(Thank you Julian) Graham leading 2nd with back marker Carol, (Thank You Graham) Carol and I were also equipped with our trusted walkie talkies which worked perfectly helping to keep us all safe.

We made our way through the Bognor Coach park under the under pass to the leisure centre from there out through the new housing estate to the new A259 where we crossed into Hoe Lane. At the end of hoe lane and the Barnham Path by the church we stopped and waited for 2nd group to arrive for photo.

The first group then left made our way out of church lane under Barnham railway bridge towards Wilkes Head Pub where we turned left through St Philip Howard School into Ivy Lane, we then made our way to Aldingbourne church via hook lane we waited for second group who were couple of minutes behind then had second photo shoot we all left and made our way to Tangmere aerodrome

Then it was the quite lanes that would lead us to the Gribble inn Oving where we split into 2 groups to make our way via Drayton crossing out to Bognor Cycle path and to our destination Brick Kiln where we all had tea and cakes and cold drinks. Edwin joines us there so 26 were out in all.

On the return journey the new leader would be Carol who took the cycle path back to Bognor, Harvey branched off at Colworth and lead a group back to Barnham (Thank you Harvey) whilst the main group made their way back to Bognor railway station with riders departing along the way

Steve Woods

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 BST

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Our last led evening ride of the summer, and what a glorious evening it was, warm and sunny, with a light breeze, as it had been all day. But the evening was noticeably drawing in, so time to draw our evening rides to a conclusion.

The lovely weather attracted 14 riders to  the start point  - John, Julian, Steve, Carol, Dmitry, Terry, Nicola, Michelle, David, Harvey, Russ, Maureen, Tony and myself. 

We set off past Felpham cricket pitch and over Highfield Bridge towards North Bersted. The usual rather circuitous route through the housing estates took us to North Bersted Street where I took the group northwards to Shripney, and after a couple of miles of peaceful lane we joined a somewhat less peaceful A.29 northwards through Lidsey to Woodgate. In fact the road was not especially busy - quiet in fact - but although we were single file there were too many of us for cars to pass confidently so we acquired the usual queue of following traffic.

Over the railway at Woodgate - the gates stayed open for us - and then it was east down Hook Lane  towards Aldingbourne. A short cut brought us out on the Tangmere road and then the usual quiet lanes brought us around the back of Oving and the Gribble.

The return route took us over the railway at Woodhorn Bridge and the pitch-black lanes of Colworth, to Elbridge where we joined the Bognor-Chichester cyclepath for the short sprint to Bersted. Then we meandered back to Felpham with people peeling off to make their own way home.  A great ending to the season and a round trip mileage from and back to the Leisure centre of about 15.

Graham

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 BST

Updated: Saturday, 20 August 2016 12:22 BST

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A beautiful summers day, mainly sunny with a light northerly wind and temperatures up to 22C. Arthur was the leader for an Awayday ride to the New Forest starting from Eling near Totton. There was a select band of 5 of us being Arthur, Lynn, Jan Graham and myself. I cycled from home, then a train to Southampton and a cycle route to Eling. Graham cycled from home in Eastleigh and the rest came by car. Remarkably all the trains I caught were on time. Southampton Station has a new Sculpture outside which I thought quite appropriate for a New Forest Ride.

The ride had one problem at the start as our usual cafe at Ealing was still closed for renovation so we met at the nearby car park

We headed off across the forest  towards Beaulieu. However here was a slight navigational error en route and we ended up in Hythe instead for elevenses where we found a cafe in the pedestrian street

We then headed up to the moorland from Hythe and across part of the New Forest for a revised lunch stop at Beaulieu. There was a slight delay as we made our way round a donkey stubbornly staying in the middle of the High Street causing a traffic jam.

We timed our arrival just right at the Old Bakehouse Cafe in Beaulieu, which is very much a cyclists Mecca. A large group of road cyclists were just leaving as we arrived freeing up tables.

Next we had a climb up the moorland and a ride not very far at all (4 miles) to Bucklers Hard tearooms for Tea or rarther ice creams and more chatting.

We saw an Owl handler at the Cafe, this one is a Tawny Owl

I got back to Southampton Station and got the 4.30 train back to Chichester with 3 minutes to spare

The mileage for the ride was about 27. My mileage for the day including riding to and from stations was 45.

Last Thursday evening I took this shot with a fisheye lens of the Milky Way above Pagham Harbour. Taken at 12.30am one of the meteors is caught on the left.

For more details and a larger picture see https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinjones/28314559233/in/photostream/

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 20:44 BST

Updated: Sunday, 14 August 2016 20:47 BST

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The weather today started cloudy but cleared to blue skies about lunchtime with temperatures up to 21C. There was a brisk SW wind giving us a headwind on the way out and a good tailwind on the way back.

The ride met at 10.00 at Chichester Cross with Graeme the leader with Jane on the Tandem. They were joined by myself, Chris and newcomer Nick who only joined yesterday. Our leaders shirt was well in the spirit of a Beach Picnic.

We headed out on West Street and then after a short diversion we went round to join Appledram Lane and onto the Salterns Way Cycleroute. We followed the route down to Chichester Yacht Basin and on to the Boat House Cafe for elevenses. The Horsham Group were also there, a little ahead of us and coming by a different route from Chichester on their Awayday Ride.. The only problem with the cafe was insufficient staff and coffee machines to cope with large numbers on a summers Sunday leading to a massive slow moving queue.

Then it was on to follow the Salterns Way across fields with a couple of skidded stops as other cyclists came round corners on the narrow path from the opposite direction. We eventually came out on the main road on the northern edges of West Wittering. Then it was on to the road to West Wittering Car Park which was packed full of cars. We smugly bypassed the booth charging cars £8 for parking. We went on to the agreed meeting point at the far end by the large Red Flag visible from some distance. This area at the entrance to the harbour is banned to swimming so the beach there was near empty compared to everywhere else.  We arrived about 12.30 and Horsham had arrived 5 minutes earlier while Arun Adur were later at about 1.15. There were 8 from Horsham and 5 from Arun Adur.

We found one area with shelter from the wind and the clouds had cleared before we left.

For the return both Chris and Nick had to get back earlier and left for a more direct route home. Graeme, Jane and I headed over to East Wittering for another long stop for tea and ice cream by the beach.

Then it was Cycleroute 88 across fields to Fisher where I split off for home. Mileage from and back to Chichester was about 27. My mileage from Pagham was 34.

On Friday I went to Brighton and took a ride up the new i360 Tower on the second day since it opened on Thursday. Very photogenic and looking very like a flying Saucer,  the pod can take up to 200 with plenty of room to move around.

For a larger picture and more details see https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinjones/28183969343/in/dateposted-public/

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 19:49 BST

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One of the loveliest evenings of the summer tonight, with glorious sunshine and not much wind, it having dropped substantially from earlier in the day.

There were 11 of us at the start point - Steve, Carol, John, Richard, Julian, David, Maureen, Tony, Nicola, Russ, and me.

 We set out via Felpham Cricket Pitch, through Bognor Town Centre, joining the prom to Aldwick and then to Pagham via Barrack Lane And Stony Stile Lane. the route thereafter was reasonably straightforward as we took one of my favourite off road routes down Summer Lane and across the fields, rejoining the road at Honer.

Then it was back on tarmac through South Runcton and Fisher before some more fields following Cycle Route 88.

We passed the site of Chalder Station on the long closed Selsey Tram Line and soon found ourselves at the Anchor, which has been given its original name back after a short spell as  the Grey Stag . 

Its a longish ride  out - it took about an hour and a quarter - and consequently it was getting quite dark when we went to leave. I'd planned to return via Pagham Harbour Wall as is usual when we come out this way, but was advised of some recent innovations to that route including unfriendly anti-cycle gates and barriers. in view of  the light conditions I settled on a return by road which meant the main Selsey Road to Hunston and then the lower Bognor Road with all its twists and turns which in the pitch black with quite a few impatient motorists still about. It   did not make for especially pleasant riding. however I’m pleased to say we all made it back unscathed although Julian had a couple of stops to re-inflate a slow puncture.

Round trip mileage from and back to the Arun Leisure Centre was almost dead-on 20 miles.

Graham 

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 BST

Updated: Saturday, 6 August 2016 12:04 BST

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Today was a pleasant warm summers day with sun most of the day save in the early afternoon and temperatures up to 22C. There was the usual sort of wind a northerly headwind on the way there and a SW headwind on the way home. Russell was the leader and he was joined by just myself and Rex.

We headed up the usual lanes via Madehurst.

Then up to Whiteways. From there we headed down Bury Hill and then lanes via West Burton  to Fittleworth. Rather than taking us up the steep climb towards Wisborough Green we turned off at the bottom on a lane towards Little Bognor.

Then it was climbs up and down to the Kirdford Road and down to Kirdford for elevenses at Kirdford Village Shop Cafe which was unusally empty of Cycling Clubs, maybe all at Ride London.

Then it was on seriously north into deepest Surrey via Loxwood, Rudgwick, Cox Green, Ellens Green (too many Greens) Walliswood, Mayes Green and finally Forest Green in the shadow of the looming Leith Hill. We stopped for sandwiches by the Cricket Pitch on the Green before joining Arun Adur at the nearby Parrot Inn.

After lunch I left the group and rode up a side road, Tanhurst Lane up to Leith Hill to see the Race. When I got there The Amateur Riders were still coming up due to a serious accident holding up the riders for an hour. The Pro Race was later stopped for 30 minutes to allow the roads to be cleared.

When the Race arrived there was first a breakaway and then the Peloton led by Team Sky who all seemed to be in the middle of chewing after having a feed.

There are many more pictures of the Race on the Club Facebook Page which you can view whether or not you are on Facebook, see 

https://www.facebook.com/bognorchichesterctc/

For the return I retraced the outward route before turning off at Rudgwick for Billingshurst. My idea of shortening the ride and getting home earlier was abandoned as the train was cancelled due to the usual “unexpected shortage of train crew” I returned via Amberley and Yapton arriving home not long before sunset at 8.25.

Mileage from and back to Walberton would have been about 71. My mileage from Pagham was 87.

For those who missed it on BBC South Today weather pictures on Thursday Evening below is the picture which was taken. It is an HDR shot of the wheat field next to Summer Lane, Pagham taken with a fisheye lens and done by putting the camera on the ground pointing along a gap in the wheat and then triggering the shutter with a wireless remote. The shot was taken about 10.00am on Thursday.

For a larger picture and more details see https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinjones/28547467651/in/photostream/

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 00:01 BST

Updated: Monday, 1 August 2016 10:58 BST

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The weather today was cloudier than of late though still with some sunshine and temperatures up to 21C and a NW wind..

I was the leader though we were a little short on numbers with only Colin joining me at Chichester Cross for the 9.00am start. We headed out via the Centurion Way, West Stoke and Rowlands Castle where we stopped briefly to chat to John Maxim heading the other way after he had stopped at the cafe. We continued to our elevenses stop at the Garden Centre Cafe at Horndean.

Leaving Horndean on a cyclepath my gears jammed and I just missed getting my feet out of my pedal straps in time resulting in a slow motion stationary fall as people watched on from a bus stop opposite. After applying water for road rash and plasters for cuts I was able to continue.

We continued with a lane via Cathrington and then a very quiet route coming out north of Denmead. We continued across to Worlds End, somebody else had an off day long ago when they named that village. Then it was on lanes to Southwick and a long gradual climb to Portsdown Hill. We gained a magnificent view over Portsmouth Harbour before descending at speed to Cosham.

Then it was the signed cycle route on the western side of the City passing the continental ferry port and the Portsmouth Isle of Wight car ferry port. Then along the sea front towards the War Memorial with a great quiet road closed to traffic. We stopped a little before the Memorial  for a beach picnic lunch and viewed the Americas Cup Racing  with few crowds by the simple expedient of being a long way from the action in the free area. Small compact at maximum zoom plus a crop for the pictures.

The return was on the Eastern Road Cycleroute. Near Havant we came across some cricketers desperately searching a hedgerow for their lost cricket ball. Thanks to Colin for the pic.

After a tea stop at Cafe Nero Havant we headed back to Chichester. Mileage was 57 from and back to Chichester. My mileage from Pagham was 67.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 22:03 BST

Updated: Sunday, 24 July 2016 22:05 BST

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A beautiful day today with unbroken clear blue skies, a SW breeze and temperatures up to 22C and still quite humid.

Steve and Carol were the leaders and they were joined at Bognor Library by Harvey, Julian, Sheila, Dave, Collette and Edwin so 8 in all.

Julian suffered a puncture at the start which turned out to be the valve having come adrift from the tube. Julian replaced the tube with verbal assistance from 3 technical advisors.

We headed out under the Underpass and then the only hill of the day over the railway bridge on Highfield Road. Then along the cyclepath alongside the A29. Then it was on to Christen the new Cyclepath alongside Rowan Way. Definitely one  of the better designed ones with a wide path and good surface.

From North Bersted it was west to Rose Green with a brief stop on a back street.

Then on to Nyetimber and straight down the Pagham Road to our tea stop at Pagham Beach Cafe. Ice creams were more in evidence than teas though they did have to be eaten quickly before melting.

Julian lead us back through Aldwick Bay Estate and one by one peeled off leaving Julian Steve and Carol to depart at the seafront.

Total of 15 miles

Posted by RideLeader at 17:46 BST

Updated: Sunday, 24 July 2016 21:17 BST

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The weather today was warm and dry with temperatures up to 24C though mainly cloudy.

There were 2 rides, a long one to Four Marks supported by Colin, Anne, Paul and Russell. The short morning Ride was to Compton with Arthur as the leader. He was joined at Chichester Cross by myself, Sam, Terry, Mike, Martin, Harvey and Brian. Lynn joined us at Woodmancote so 9 in all on the short ride.

Arthur led the group out via West Street and then on via Clay Lane and the South Coast Cycleroute to Woodmancote for elevenses stop No 1 where Lynn joined us.

We continued vi Racton where there was a traffic jam of cars getting into The Lordington Lavender field. We sailed past the jam and on up the B-Road passing through woods.

Then it was on via West Marden to our main elevenses stop at Compton Village Tea Rooms. Our stay was marred when the waitress stumbled and a jug of boiling hot water spilt on Arthur’s foot, ouch or words to that effect. Sam sprang into action obtaining cold water, a towel and a cold compress from the Tea Rooms.

Another incident happened just before we arrived at the Tea Rooms as Harvey’s clip in pedal fell apart. He left for home early as he could not pedal up hill. Sam had no such problems as he was again out on his electric bike. Lukily he was fairly restrained most of the time apart from speeding up some of the hills.

We headed back initially on the same route before turning off on the hill over to Funtington and then Watery Lane to West Ashling and a brief stop at the Pond for a photo.

Then it was back to Chichester and a 3^rd elevenses? Stop at what was now lunchtime at Fishbourne Roman Palace. The Roman Centurion there took exception to Sam’s new fangled electric bike pointing his spear at it though we warned him of possible shocks.

Mileage from and back to Chichester was about 25. My mileage from Pagham was 35.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 18:24 BST

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The big news on the Sunday Ride today was that Sam has just acquired an electric bike. It is a German make, Cube with a Bosh Electric Motor and a range of 90 miles with a top speed of 18mph. That applies on hills too which is bad news for the rest of us. The good news though is that the rest of us can beat him easily in a sprint.

The weather was fairly rubbish with drizzle turning to rain by our 9.00 start and temperatures up to 17c and a SW wind driving the wet. Sam was the leader and I was the only other one to turn up. The planned destination was Hambledon which we abandoned in favour of a short ride for an early elevenses at the Control Tower Cafe, Goodwood.

After leaving we continued as far as the base of Pillygreen Hill. Here Sam planned to give his steed a full power test up the hill. I split off and returned home via Halnaker and Tangmere.

My return mileage from Pagham was 19.

I have just returned from France on a trip which included a 4 night stay near Coutances on the west coast of the Cherbourg Peninsula to view the first 3 stages of the Tour de France. Handily it was possible to view all 3 stages within a 20 mile range.

The first picture was taken on Stage 1 which ran from Mont St Michel to Utah beach. The location is on a corner leading on to the Causeway at Briqueville-sur –Mer at 69 Kilometers into the Stage. It shows the Peloton coming round the corner with my Union Jack strategically placed. Mark Cavendish went on to win the Stage.

The next picture was taken while viewing Stage 2  with Mark Cavendish in the yellow Jersey and near the front of the Peloton in this shot. This was taken at the Cote de Montpinchon which is a 4th Category Climb 52 kilometres into the Stage. A dismal morning with drizzle interspersed with heavier rain just about clearing as the race arrived.

For the next picture the location was the Stage start at Granville and a lot of time was spent hanging around the Dimension Data Team Bus for Mark Cavendish to emerge after a planning meeting for the successful team tactics for the day. Cav again won the stage at the end of the day.

Edwin

Posted by RideLeader at 15:08 BST

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