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
Bognor and Chichester Cycling UK 