If anyone had any doubts about CycleBognor’s “no rain guarantee” they must surely have been dispelled today. A night of heavy rain, followed by a morning of rain and drizzle, all stopped just before the ride was due to set off from Bognor library. Seven met at the start with 2 joining at the Forge for the return ride meaning 9 out in all. Not bad considering the earlier weather was probably an off-putting factor.
I led the ride in place of Steve and Carol, who couldn’t make it.
Me, Maureen, Sam, Harvey, Michelle and two Mikes set off via the subway to Felpham cricket pitch, then via the ALC to Bognor Golf Club where we took the recently rebuilt cycle path through to the new estate and the northern relief road.
Crossing over we dropped down into Satanover Lane to reach the cycle track to Barnham. This part of the route had plenty of puddles but overall was not nearly as muddy as we have known it. The bikes were still pretty clean when we arrived back on the tarmac at Barnham church.
From there it was the cycletrack to Walberton, then West Walberton Lane to Fontwell and through the subway to Slindon woods.
By democratic decision we eschewed the long dragging Court Hill instead taking a track through the woods to emerge on Park Lane on the edge of Slindon village. Again this track was puddly but not muddy, with a firm flint surface.
Two or three minutes further riding brought us to our destination at the Forge. David and George were there to ride back with us.
After spending too long lingering over tea, we completed a circular route back to Bognor by way of Slindon Common, Avisford, North End, Yapton, Bilsham and Middleton, in the process crossing an empty A29, a suspiciously quiet A27, and inspecting cycle track construction progress at Comet Corner.
Round trip mileage from and back to Bognor library was 17.8.
Graham
Bognor and Chichester Cycling UK 