Sunday 28 October Ride to Club AGM at West Stoke

Three of us (myself, David Sinclair and Michael Eastham) met at Chichester Cross to go for a short ride to West Stoke for the Section AGM, the weather was bright but pretty cold in a stiff wind. We set out towards Fishbourne picking up Andrew close to the, sloping bridge, then the four of us went past the Roman Palace, and Andrew showed us an alternative route through the park which took us out to Blackboy Lane, so cutting out the main road entirely. We took from there Old Park Lane to Bosham, and as the tide was out went over the path across the end of Bosham Channel exposed at low tide. I tried to persuade the other three to go for a dip for the photo but they declined as the tide was out.

Then we took the road past the station to Clay Lane, then Mouthey’s Lane to West Stoke, so about a 10 mile ride out.

There were a total of 17 at the meeting. The full roll call was Edwin Jones, Arthur Smith, David Sinclair, Harvey Probert, Lynn Smith, Jim Jennings, Michael Eastham, Mike Lambourne, Philippa Neville, David Neville, David Parsons, Graeme Hodge, Jeff Lander, Bob Birtwell, Chris Dart, Roland Seber and Julie Rand. Some arrived by bike and some by car. Julie Rand is the officer at Cycling UK responsible for local groups. The meeting started at 10.40 and finished at 11.40. There was a long discussion on Cycle Routes and Planning

After the meeting three of us (myself, Michael and Harvey) went through Funtingdon up to Compton, where we had a cuppa. Then we took the right hand turn after Compton to go up the steep hill beside Telegraph Hill.

Then continued past Apple Down to Fourways where we parted company.  Harvey turned right to East Marden, while Michael and I turned left to North Marden, returning to Chichester on the main road through Chilgrove. My total mileage from and back to Chichester was 31.

Bob Birtwell

Saturday afternoon Ride. Bognor Library to Willow Tea Rooms Barnham

The weather today was dry but much colder than of late with temperatures reaching only 8C with a chill northerly wind.  10 cyclists met at Bognor Library for today’s ride: Leaders Steve and Carol, Graham, Maureen, Mike, Julian, Clair, Steve, Alan and Harvey

Carol led turning right from the Library and first right through car park to the underpass and made our way to Arun Leisure center. We then cycled through school grounds towards new Bognor/Littlehampton cycle path up to Climping roundabout where we turned left then first left into Horsemere Green lane.

At the end of the Lane we turned right into Yapton Road and a biting cold headwind passing Ford Market into Burndell Road, straight across the roundabout passing the village hall making our way towards Barnham to our destination of the Willow tea rooms.

After warming up and having tea and cakes Steve led the ride back via Hoe Lane.

Total mileage was 14.5 miles

Carol Woods

Sunday 21st October 2018 Ride from Chichester Cross to Hayling Island

A group of ten assembled at the Chichester Cross which included Arthur, Michael, Maureen, Tony, Sam, Bob, Christine, Alan, Martin and Bill. We headed west along West Street then using Arthur’s ‘Pied Piper’ skills two more, Andy and Graham joined the back of the peloton before the first roundabout.   The route took us over the railway foot bridge on to Fishbourne Road then right onto Clay Lane with its ‘Rolling Hills’.  We eventually reached the first ‘watering hole’ at the Woodmancote Arms. After much coffee and cake we waited until two more riders, Lynn and Jan joined us so 14 in all now..

We continued via Westbourne and on towards Havant. At Havant we turned off the main road and onto the cycle path that led us under the A27 then to the causeway leading to Hayling Island. Over the causeway we turned left towards Northney, then south towards the lunch stop at Meadow Farm Nursery.  The selection that we could partake of for lunch was huge, fortunately the queue for ordering was quite long so there was plenty of time to select what you were going to order, then change your mind! The sun was out in full force so we all took to the shade under the umbrellas in the garden.

The route towards home was the reverse of the route out until we deviated to the Roman Villa at Fishbourne. Many tables were pulled together so that the group could all sit around together. Once the ice creams were devoured we sat chatting for ages in the hot sun. Eventually we all set off on our various routes home, for me door to door was 42 very enjoyable miles. Many thanks Arthur.

Alan Harding

Saturday 13 October – cycle to Brick Kiln Garden Centre

6 of us met at Chichester library at the new time if 1300. No leader turned up so Steve Woods led the ride. (Edit -the Leader scheduled was ill and his arranged substitute forgot)

I was joined by Carol, Maureen, Mike, Julian and Michael. We left at 13.20pm on a lovely warm day

We made our way out of Chichester cycling past Priory Park. At the end of the road we turned left and first left towards St Richards Hospital, then out to St Pancreas and on to West Hampnett picking up the cycle path along the A27 out to Tangmere.

Cycled across the old Tangmere air field and out to Oving passing the Gribble Inn where Michael tried to persuade everybody to stop for ales!. We turned right towards Drayton  across the railway crossing turning right onto the A259 Bognor/Chichester cycle path where we arrived at our destination, Brick Kiln Garden Centre.

Cream teas were enjoyed by all and we were later joined by Chris. Then we had a look at the Christmas decorations before leaving.

Chris and Julian cycled back towards Chichester and the rest of us towards Bognor

Total mileage for me , Carol and Maureen from Felpham was about 25 miles and Chichester library to the garden centre was about 8 miles

Steve Woods

Sunday 7 October Ride to the Kings Head, Wickham

Nice ride today. Three of us turned up, myself leading, Michael and also Sam who was still recovering from some injuries a couple of weeks ago. Weather was sunny but surprisingly cold in a northerly wind.

We had a delayed start as the Half Marathon came past, and fortunately Sam was able to take us through some back roads behind the college so we could avoid the runners. That accidentally took us past the finishing line for the half-marathon, to cheers and applause from the organising staff and victory air punches from us.

We took the usual route to Horndean through Westbourne and Rowlands Castle where we had coffee at the Horndean Garden Centre Cafe.

Sam was suffering from his injuries a lot by then so he turned back after elevenses. Michael and I carried on, through Catherington and down Lovedean Lane and Day Lane to the obviously very narrow Broadway Lane from where we turned off through Crossways to Hambledon. Then we went up the steep Cams Hill, towards Soberton Heath, where we turned south down Heath Road to join the Meon Valley Trail, which was really delightful through the autumn woodland, and on to Wickham.

At Wickham we lunched at the King’s Arms as planned. The Pub and the village have an interesting history as shown by the sign there.

We then returned through Knowle village, then the cycle route to, and down, Wickham Road, then down Pook Lane to join the Portsdown Hill Road just at Fort Nelson, with the usual spectacular views over the Solent (photo actually taken last Wednesday when I scouted out the route)

Then we followed the usual route back through Havant and Westbourne to Chichester. My mileage was 53.

Bob Birtwell