Sunday 24th September. Ride to Stedham

It was a beautiful sunny day again feeling like summer with temperatures up to 21C. There was though a fairly strong SE wind.

On the way to the start at Chichester Cross I stopped off at Eastgate Square for a picture of the new Keats Statue.

I was the leader and I was joined at the start by Russell, Sam, Bob and Keith.

We headed out via Centurion Way and then lanes via West Stoke and Funtington and then the B-Road via West Marden to stop for elevenses at Compton.

We arrived there soon after 10.00 as we aim to get a seat as it is a little popular with cyclists on a Sunday morning.

Then it was on up the gradual climb past Uppark of Harting Hill and down into the village and on via a lane to Nyewood. Then it was on via a narrow lane to Dumpford and on to Trotton and a very brief stretch of the busy A272 before  turning off on the lane via Chithurst and a brief check of the route.

 

The lanes here are very narrow with a lot of accumulated dried mud much in need of clearing. Russell and I had sandwiches on the green at Stedham in the heat of the sun and then went on to join the others at the Hamilton Arms.

We were due to meet Arun Adur at the pub and they arrived an hour after we did about as we were ready to leave but we had time for a chat.

Keith left us after lunch and the rest of us headed back via Severals Lane to Bepton and then on to Cocking and climbing the hill. Down to Singleton and we stopped for tea at a new cafe opened a few weeks ago at Singleton Open Air museum which can be visited without paying to go in the museum.

The return was downhill on the Centurion Way and mileage from and back to Chichester was about 38. My mileage from Pagham was 50.

Last weekend I went to Open House London where many buildings normally closed to the public open their doors. One was City Hall on the South Bank,

For more details see https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinjones/36528897224/in/dateposted-public/

Another was the Royal Albert Hall done as a panorama

For more details see https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinjones/36924025950/in/dateposted-public/

Edwin

Saturday 23 September Ride to Manor Nursery Cafe

It was a beautiful warm sunny day for the Saturday afternoon ride today with temperatures up to 18C. Graham was the leader and there were 15 of us at the start including Christine, Kathryn, Steve, Carol, Steve2, Michelle, George, David, Julian, Mike, Alan, Frances, Mike2 and Edwin.

Many years ago we used to start the Evening Rides with a Tour of Bognor led of course by Graham. The start of the ride felt a bit like that. Excuse me if I get mixed up but I think I have it about right. We headed out from the Library  west along London Road, then Cresent Road and Queensway and then Ockley Road causing a bit of a stir as we went with car tailbacks.

Then it was a little bit of Linden Road before turning into Havelock Road and into Longford Road still a short way from the Library just across the Railway tracks. Then before the big roundabout a right into Gordon Avenue taking us under the flyover (a new one on me) Then a very short bit of Highland Avenue before taking the cyclepath under the A29 Roundabout and into Orchard Way before turning off onto Durban Road through the Industrial Estate. Then it was right into Ash Grove and up to Rowan Way to North Bersted along the Cyclepath. Then it was onto the Berry Lane Cycleroute to the new Bersted Estate at which point I lost track a bit as it was more streets new to me.

I believe we exited on Elbridge Road Then it was across the new bypass by the roundabout to pick up the Bognor Chichester Cyclepath. We turned off on to Colworth Lane. It was good to see Graham clearly identified as the Ride Leader.

Then it was back to the Cyclepath alongside the main road and then onto the lane via Merston before turning onto a short stretch of the busy Lagness Road to the Cafe. Unusually we sat outside as normally when we visit this location it is too cold. After welcome hot drinks and cakes we got ready to head back. This is a picture of David’s new bike which is actually a refurbished Post Office bike good for trips to the shop. It was notable during the ride for the loud clatter from the basket every time we went over a bump.

After a short stretch south on the main road we turned off on the concrete farm track via Park Farm.

The return to the Library was via the Cycleroute on the Prom to complete a round trip of 12 miles.

Edwin

Sunday 10 September. Ride to Dunridge (Hambledon)

There was a beautiful start to the day with early sunny skies though cold and soon giving way to gathering clouds. Temperatures reached 16C with a strong SW wind. Sam was the leader at 9.00am Chichester Cross and he was joined by myself, Mike and Bob.

Sam was out on a new (sort of) Electric bike. The latest version of the previous one, Cube, but a larger better suited frame and all the equipment from the old bike transferred over except for keeping the more powerful!! New motor.

We took the usual route out via West Street and Clay Lane and on via Woodmancote and Westbourne. On the hill up from Westbourne we were easily overtaken by some fit young girls save for Sam who powered up the hill ahead of them at 15mph.

Our elevenses stop was at Horndean Garden Centre Cafe just in time as the the first spots started for a shower. We requisitioned an under cover area for a bike park.

We enjoyed hot drinks, cakes or sandwiches while it rained outside and cleared up just as we were ready to leave.

The original destination for lunch was Dunridge near Bishops Waltham. However with the rain and more forecast to come Sam made an executive decision to divert to Lotts Cafe, Hambledon. I decided to head back from Horndean and make it a half day ride. On the way back I saw a lot of riders coming the other way on the route of the Southern Sportive based on Petersfield. Further on I had decided to take a lane between Southbourne and Hambrook but a short way along came across deep flooding from yesterdays rain.

Discretion was called for and I diverted to take the cyclepath along the main road back to Chichester. My mileage from and back to Pagham was 43.

My latest processed picture was taken earlier this year in London before they started putting scaffolding on Big Ben.

For a larger picture and more details see

https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinjones/36937197911/in/photostream/

Edwin

Saturday 9th September. Tangmere Airfield Cafe Ride

Due to illness Philippa could not lead this ride today so Steve & Carol took up the reins. 7 Riders met at Chichester Library, Harvey, Lucy, David, Carol, Steve, Carol 2 , Jill.

We made our way out of Chichester via North walls, Priory park into Melbourne Rd turn left into Spitalfield Rd heading into hospital and turning right into Swanfield drive left into Bradshaw Rd right into Barnfield drive, then into Westhampnett Road, we made our way past the Rolls Royce Factory onto the cycle path that lead us to the roundabout above A27.  As we arrived a lot earlier than we expected we all agreed to a diversion that took us out to Halnaker we then made our way through Boxgrove and over A27 Footbridge through village of Tangmere to our destination, Tangmere Air Museum Cafe, not a very good selection of cakes to pick from today but the hot tea was most welcome.  Photos were taken by a kind passer-by in front of a Harrier jump jet.

We all then made our way across the old airfield path  where Harvey turned left towards Barnham and we headed for Drayton where David & Lucy turned left over Railway crossing & we turned right for Chichester this is when the rain started and stayed with and Carol I all the way back home to Felpham. Carol and Steve ended the ride at Chichester Railway Station Carol 2 & Jill then caught the train back to Portsmouth.

Steve and Carol

Sunday 3th September. Arun Crossings Ride

Today was the last DA Event of the season with the Off-Road ride led by Bob starting from Pulborough. It was a cloudy day with initially spots turning into heavy rain later.

I do not do any substantial Off Road any more so I met the group at elevenses.  I 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 Arun Adur had the most attending with Paul, Richard and Peter Train. Sam represented Bognor Chichester and  just Bob for Horsham Crawley.

Sam was well prepared with his giant tractor tyres.

My original plan of riding more of the route home was abandoned in favor of the train back as the rain came in more and earlier than forecast. Bob was planning to get most of the Arun Crossings in before lunch and then finish the ride.

Sam reported that he had  2 punctures & lost a bit off the pump. In total coming from Chichester his mileage was 67.5miles and he was totally soaked to the skin by the time he arrived home.

Richard Boulton from Arun Adur reported that the group  just made it to lunch at Loxwood before waterproofs were needed. Peter decided to head for home on the road. Just light rain but we decided on a quick route back along the canal and down to Wisborough Green and then  across the track to Lee farm and back roads to Pulborough. Sam left us to head back via a track to Fittleworth, he was  worried about the battery power to get him over the Downs, and his back tyre was looking soft. No joke to pump up those giant tyres!

The rain didn’t seem to amount to much to start, just got damp and tracks still in good condition. Still, Richard was glad to reach the car, Paul was cycling back to Worthing.

My latest processed picture was one of many taken a week ago last Saturday at the Chichester City Centre Cycling Criterium Races and includes zoom effect editing.

For a larger picture and more details see

https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinjones/36918575925/in/dateposted-public/

Edwin

Saturday 2nd September. Isle of Wight Day Trip

It was a beautiful day for the Cycle Bognor Isle of Wight special ride with 12 out organised and ably led by Graham.

Out today –

Carol Steve Dave Lucy Andy, Edwin and Graham from Bognor

Chris  from Chichester

Carol from Gosport

Colin Bev and Jill from Portsmouth

Total 12.

We met  at Portsmouth Harbour Station with some coming by train from Bognor which was on time. We took the Catamaran to Ryde and along with other cyclists sorted the bikes into the bike space.

At Ryde we cycled down the pier and regrouped at the Esplanade for a group photo and surprise banner for Steve on his birthday.

Then it was along the Prom towards where Graham pictured us from above from the Appley Tower.

Then on via Seaview and up the first climb of the day along Puckpool Hill and roads just north of Ryde to turn off on an unmade road among vines for elevenses at Rosemary Vineyard  at the Vineleaf Coffee shop.

There was some delay in getting going as some took advantage of the tasting room which also seemed to be the objective of the Coaches visiting. Graham then took us on a track to the “Secret Exit” too narrow for coaches . Then it was south onto a road towards Havenstreet but turning off on Firestone Copse lane and down to Wooton where we turned off on a cyclepath on the other side of the bridge.. We took another path from Wooton Station past the Isle of Wight Crematorium and at the main road onto another cycle route alongside the main road and down to Newport for lunch. Here we spit into different groups to varying eateries in the town centre.

After lunch we headed out again initially on paths and a stretch of main road before turning off on lanes towards Whippingham. Down and up and then back to Wooton Bridge before turning off on a lane where Dave had a puncture and Steve studied the foam instructions.

The attempted fix failed a short way further on and the tube was replaced. Soon after the car ferry we turned off on Quarr  Lane and on to Quarr Abbey for tea with a photo stop just as we were leaving.

More cycle routes and quiet lanes and we were back at Ryde for the ferry back to the mainland catching a ferry with a few minutes to spare..

25 miles on the mainland. My mileage from Pagham was 35

Edwin