I was the leader and joining me at Chichester Cross were Sam, Paul and Bob for the ride to West Meon. Conditions were cool with a fresh north westerly wind. I led the group up a quiet Centurion Way and then onto Compton via West Stoke. All outside tables were taken but there was plenty of room inside for a relaxing half hour.
Continuing our journey, we rode through Buriton and East Meon, where Sam’s battery started to indicate impending exhaustion. Determined to wring everything out of it, Sam decided to push on to our planned lunch stop at Cuppacheeno, West Meon. Chris joined us, making 5 out. He had left Chichester after Bell ringing and had seen the short ride group en-route.
We arrived just as a large group were leaving and thus enjoyed a leisurely lunch in the sun. Lovely hot buttered crumpets with marmite! (Sam misheard my order and thought I was telling the waitress she was hot crumpet…..)
We where then into the business part of the ride, an ascent of Old Winchester Hill and a fast wind assisted ride along the ridge before descending into Horndean for afternoon tea.
The final 13 miles back to Chichester were very easy cycling, with a strong tail wind.
Total distance for the ride was 51 miles.
Russell
Bognor and Chichester Cycling UK 