Four met at the Cross for today’s cycle to the Harrow Inn, Steep. I was leading and was joined by Sam, Paul and Mike. I had already arranged that we would meet Jeff at Rowlands Castle, so that was our elevenses stop. Bumblebee Café was still quiet at 10.00am, so we beat the rush. On leaving the café, it was soon evident that it was going to be an unseasonably warm day, making the ride through Finchdean and onto Buriton almost surreal for mid February! Sam commented that ‘it was like a dream’.
There were hoards of other cyclists out enjoying the conditions.
Petersfield was unusually quiet, so despite our gentle pace we arrived at the Harrow Inn before opening time, along with half a dozen motorists and a few walkers. We found a garden table in the sun and relaxed until the pub door bolts were pulled.
Sam boldly choose their famous Ham and Pea soup, whereas Paul and myself settled for the beef sandwich. As usual, the food was succulent and they certainly don’t stint on the portion size!
By now the pub was quite busy, about 10 mountain bikers had turned up and plenty of motorists. Post lunch the sky was clouding over and a SW wind getting up, so it was a fairly direct ride back using the Petersfield /QE2 cycle path.
We dropped Jeff back at Rowlands Castle, Mike and myself headed back to Chichester whilst Sam and Paul enjoyed a final coffee of the day.
A very pleasant day out, temperatures maxed at 12C around midday but it felt warmer. Return mileage was 46.
Russell
Bognor and Chichester Cycling UK 