There were 5 at the start at Felpham Leisure Centre. That was possibly more than expected after a day of threatening clouds, high winds and a few spells of light rain. I was the leader (Graham). Joining me were Edwin, Maureen, Mike and David.
We set off through town to avoid the strong SW winds, and went down lower Bognor Road across the tracks at Butterlees Farm to avoid the main road, then at Runcton we turned left at Mill Lane and did a wide loop around South Mundham and North Mundham to arrive back on the main road. Then it was East on the recently reopened towpath for about 1/2 mile back towards Runcton where we took our break at the Walnut Tree.
The ride was originally scheduled to go to The Anchor at Sidlesham. However Edwin had reported that the previous day the track across the fields from Pagham was very soft from all the rains causing the bike to jam up with thick sticky mud. We had come to a general conclusion that an evening ride to the Anchor seems to be only feasible if you cut across the fields or use only the busy roads. Any other route just takes too long. We therefore cut the ride short. Normally the Summer Lane route is fine this time of year but this years cool wet Spring meant it was not to be.
For the return I took the riders up Merston Lane and we joined the Bognor-Chichester cycle track to North Bersted, then through the new estate, round the back of Bognor, over Highfield Bridge and back to Felpham.
Round trip to and from the Arun Leisure centre was 17
Graham
Bognor and Chichester Cycling UK 