Sunday 30th September. Ride to The Jungle Tearooms, Ashington

Seven cyclists met at Walberton Pond on a sunny but fresh 8c morning, Regulars Mike and Bob were joined by new/occasional  Sunday riders Ann, Dave, Michael and Rosie. So quite good numbers considering a group of regular Sunday riders were indisposed.

I was leading today and had decided to take the coastal route option on the outward leg. We made maximum use of cycle paths and quiet estate back roads to wend our way through Littlehampton, Rustington , Ferring and Goring before picking up the sea front promenade cycle path through Worthing. Our planned tea stop at Coast Café didn’t go to plan, unfortunately the sun has brought many cyclists out but the café only had one person taking orders, so the decision was taken to press on to the lunch stop.

We used the cycle path to Widewater lagoon, before circumnavigating Shoreham airport to cross the A24 at the traffic lights. Cycling up Coombes Lane we encountered the usual high volume of fellow cyclists, this really is a popular route that will be largely lost when the Ikea ‘road improvements’ are implemented and the traffic light crossing removed. It was then on through Steyning, a quick crossing of the bypass and down Spithandle Lane to our lunch venue, arriving 12.10hrs.By now the sun had warmed the air to a very pleasant 17c.

Although busy, we found a table and the very friendly staff kept us updated on the progress of our order. All agreed that the service and food was very good. After a leisurely hour or so, it was time to make the return journey. It had clouded over during lunch and was now distinctly chilly, so it was a fairly direct route through Ashington, skirting West Chiltington and back to the RSPB Café at Wiggonholt for more tea and cake. This set us up nicely for the climb over the Khyber and the run back to various homes.

Mileage to and from Walberton would have been 57 miles, as all had cycled to the start most would have completed around 75 miles for the day.

Russell

Saturday Ride 22 September 2018 … World Car Free Day

This Saturday’s ride was planned as a series of 3 circuits of 5 miles each, at a slow pace and using only quiet routes, to mark World Car Free Day and provide the opportunity for not so confident cyclists to experience group riding.

Unfortunately the weather was not encouraging to newcomers, with drizzle starting around 12 noon and the forecast indicating progressively worse conditions.

Regrettably Cycle Bognor’s world-renowned “no rain guarantee” could not apply this afternoon, one of the policy exclusions being that rain was falling.

By the time i got to the start point it was raining hard but my plan to turn round and go back home was thwarted as 5 riders were waiting for me.  No newcomers unfortunately…the weather was just too bad…but the “usual suspects” Keith, Maureen, Steve, Mike, and Michael.

After a brief debate on where to go it was agreed we would continue with the planned first 5 mile circuit. So off we went via Hotham Park to the prom, then East to Summerley, a circuit of the KGV field and then back to the library via Downview School, the Leisure Centre, and Mead Lane subway. 5 miles exactly.

By this time it had come to everybody’s attention that no cycling gear is fully waterproof if the rain is hard enough and you are out in it for more than half and hour. But on the basis that we were already wet the consensus was, astonishingly, that more cycling was needed.

So off we set on the 2nd planned circuit, to Aldwick via back streets. We planned to stop at West Park Cafe but on arrival the shutters were coming down and it was being locked up. So it was a short sprint along the prom to the Waverley,  with its undercover cycle parking and hot drinks all round.

After a suitable refreshment stop i decided to end the ride there and, as the rain had eased slightly, everyone headed off home in different directions. Continuing back into town i calculated that we had completed about 9 miles of the ride route; I did 15 including to and from home.

Graham

Ride to ‘Bracklesham Bay Tea Rooms’, Bracklesham Bay Saturday 15th September 2018

On a sunny, mild day, fourteen cyclists gathered at Chichester Library for a ride to ‘Bracklesham Bay Tea Rooms’, in Bracklesham Bay.

The group set off from the library heading west towards Westgate, crossing over the mini-roundabout and heading straight on before turning left to pick up the cycle path which runs in front of Chichester College, ending at Chichester Railway Station.

After passing over the railway crossing, everyone turned right and then left to go down Canal Wharf, left into Basin Road and right into Kingsham Avenue.  Carrying on until the end of the road, the group then turned left at the junction with Whyke Road and right, to pick up the cycle path along Quarry Lane which led to the footbridge over the A27.

Emerging the other side of the footbridge, the group then immediately took a track alongside Vinnetrow Road, which eventually came out into School Lane in North Mundham.  Crossing the road, the group then proceeded to go through North Mundham, picking up Regional Cycle Network Number 88 towards Fisher and Bramber Farm.  Not far off the turning to Bramber Farm, Philippa did a head count and realized that 2 cyclists were missing – Graeme and a newcomer, Iain.  It transpired that Iain had a puncture, but no inner tube, so had decided to call it a day.  Graeme checked that Iain knew his way back to North Mundham and then cycled ahead to join the rest of the group.

At the junction with the turning to Bramber Farm, the group took a right hand turn towards Chalder Farm, eventually emerging onto the busy B2145 Selsey road.  Everyone then quickly crossed over the road to go down the road directly opposite, Rotten Row, towards the junction with Highleigh Road, where everyone turned right towards Mapsons Lane.  At the next T-junction, the group turned left down Batchmere Road, after splitting into 2 groups, as the traffic was getting heavier, with Graeme leading the back group.  Batchmere Road merged into Almodington Lane and, at the next T-junction, everyone turned left down Clappers Lane, emerging just short of Bracklesham Bay Tea Rooms, arriving at approximately 3.40 pm.

Everyone went inside to order their drink and grub and unfortunately poor Julian emerged with a nasty gash on his head; he’d had an encounter with one of the low hung beams and had, unsurprisingly, come off worst!  Various tissues and wipes were administered to the wound and fortunately Julian was ok to carry on the ride.

Graeme kindly led the ride back, and led a more direct route via Birdham Pool and then Salterns Way.

Philippa

Saturday 8 September Ride to Putting Green Cafe Arundel

14 riders for today’s cycle led by Steve and Carol to Arundel. Weather was fine and dry and we split into 2 groups to make it easier for cars to pass us. Steve led the first group and our new trainee leader Michelle, who did a great job led the second group.

We made our way through the coach park and to the underpass to Arun Leisure Centre into the Roundel Estate and out to the new relief road where we picked up the new Littlehampton and Bognor cycle path. Turned left towards Yapton where we stopped for a group photo at the playing field.

 

After a brief stop we continued on to Church Lane and into Ford Lane over Ford level crossing and a short ride on Ford busy road. Turned Left into Tortington Lane where we had a lovely quiet cycle with a slight climb before turning into Priory Lane then immediately turned left to take opening to get us into Dallaway Road. A nice downhill run right down to the main A27 roundabout.  We then made our way across river the Arun then back under A27 into Fitzalan Road. At the end of the road, T Junction turning Left over river to the roundabout turning right 200 meters on the right Arundel Putting Green Cafe.

 

The Cafe had lovely friendly staff and reasonably priced cakes and refreshments. Apple pie was huge!

Carol led the first group back and Alan led the second group heading back to Ford lane and at the end of the road turning right onto the new cycle path.

Steve and Carol

Sunday 9th September. Ride to The Glasshouse Cafe, Rotherhill Nursery Stedham.

It was a pleasant sunny day with temperatures up to 20C

The ride today met at Chichester Cross with Bob leading and joined by just Jeff and Bea Lander. They went to The Compton Village Shop and Tea Rooms for Elevenses.

Jeff and Bea turned back from there but Bob decided to go on and do a longer route. He went via Stedham, Lurgashall and Kirdford. Realizing he might be going towards Goodwood Revival traffic he instead diverted via Houghton and the Khyber Pass path to Arundel and then back to Chichester to complete a longer than planned 79 mile ride.

Edwin from details given by Bob

Sunday 2 September. Sussex Churches and Colin Bloomfield Memorial Ride

It was a perfect day for the ride today with clear blue skies, light winds and temperatures up to 23C. Apart from our group as it was a DA Event there were members out from Horsham Crawley and Arun Adur and a total of 24 rode the route. 13 of those were from Bognor Chichester with many rarely coming out on a Sunday Ride. The good turnout was helped by a different type of ride and paying respects to Colin. Colin’s son and his wife were at the start and I chatted to them after everybody left. The Canal Basin Cafe was a good starting point in the sunshine

The route involved visiting various Churches including West Stoke and Funtington.

Then it was on via quiet lanes via Racton Church and then Stoughton dating from 1050 AD

Then on to East Marden the Church beside the Well

And on to the 12^th Century North Marden Church.

Then it was on to lunch at Hooksway, a pleasant Pub in the woods whose only disadvantage is the climb to get back out of the hollow. Thanks to Michael for the group  picture

The ride split then with some taking a direct route back and others continuing on back roads to West Dean Church and the Centurion Way and then on  to Lavant Church and Tangmere and Oving Churches.

Meanwhile while waiting for people to return to the Canal Basin in the Bishops Gardens I came across a local eccentric who rides places on a Penny Farthing in suitably old style clothing. He has just got back from going over the Alps on a Space Hopper. He offered me a ride on his Penny Farthing but I declined. His plan for next year is to ride from London to Paris on his Penny Farthing while wearing a Suit of Armour!!

At the end of the ride back at the Canal Basin there were 3 tie break questions with 3 getting the same points for observation. The tie break of the tie break was to state the date of birth of the lady the bench was in memory of at West Stoke Church. Our own Bob Birtwell got it dead on at 1971 so was the overall winner, well done Bob.

Edwin