Thursday 6 July 2006: evening Ride to The Holly Tree Walberton (Felpham start)
The hot weather of the previous week has broken, and tonight was much duller and cooler of late. Nonetheless there was very little wind and it made for good cycling weather. Continuing the theme of the past few weeks however, only 3 riders made the start point – Alan, Graham, and Val.
Alan led us at a gentle pace through Middleton-On Sea, Bilsham and Yapton, where we took the path around the recreation ground to the Church, and then onwards to Maypole Lane where we crossed the railway.
At this point the lane is little more than rough track, and it crosses the main line by means of an unmanned “occupation” crossing where it is necessary to open the gates manually. As we did so we noticed trains approaching from both directions. Both were at safe distances away, but the westbound service was running at considerable speed, contrasting with the eastbound train which was running at caution with a single amber aspect showing on the signal ahead.
The eastbound driver obviously had us in his sights and gave several long blasts on his horn. There have been a number of suicides on this part of the line in recent months and drivers are clearly keeping vigilant. Two of us crossed the track but I held back to await the passing of both services. For my trouble I received a prolonged blast from the fast moving westbound train, and the combined noise from both trains must surely have given the environmental health officer cause for concern.
The excitement over, we continued into Barnham, then taking the lane northwards to Walberton and the Holly Tree pub. We thought we had made good time but found the Chichester start group (5 of them) already well settled into their chairs and giving the impression they had been there all evening.
A short while later Edwin joined us direct from his time trials, and after an appropriate pause for refreshment, we departed back home taking him and John from the Chichester group back with us. The return run was direct via Blacksmith’s Corner, North End and Yapton; mileage start to finish was 15.
The hot weather of the previous week has broken, and tonight was much duller and cooler of late. Nonetheless there was very little wind and it made for good cycling weather. Continuing the theme of the past few weeks however, only 3 riders made the start point – Alan, Graham, and Val.
Alan led us at a gentle pace through Middleton-On Sea, Bilsham and Yapton, where we took the path around the recreation ground to the Church, and then onwards to Maypole Lane where we crossed the railway.
At this point the lane is little more than rough track, and it crosses the main line by means of an unmanned “occupation” crossing where it is necessary to open the gates manually. As we did so we noticed trains approaching from both directions. Both were at safe distances away, but the westbound service was running at considerable speed, contrasting with the eastbound train which was running at caution with a single amber aspect showing on the signal ahead.
The eastbound driver obviously had us in his sights and gave several long blasts on his horn. There have been a number of suicides on this part of the line in recent months and drivers are clearly keeping vigilant. Two of us crossed the track but I held back to await the passing of both services. For my trouble I received a prolonged blast from the fast moving westbound train, and the combined noise from both trains must surely have given the environmental health officer cause for concern.
The excitement over, we continued into Barnham, then taking the lane northwards to Walberton and the Holly Tree pub. We thought we had made good time but found the Chichester start group (5 of them) already well settled into their chairs and giving the impression they had been there all evening.
A short while later Edwin joined us direct from his time trials, and after an appropriate pause for refreshment, we departed back home taking him and John from the Chichester group back with us. The return run was direct via Blacksmith’s Corner, North End and Yapton; mileage start to finish was 15.
Graham for Alan
Posted by Ride Leader
at 12:01 AM BST
Updated: Monday, 10 July 2006 4:43 PM BST
