Sunday 16 October
Eight members met at Chichester Cross on a bright Sunday morning – Colin, Chris, Jim, Freda, Yvonne, Bernie, Mary and Phil. We headed west, crossing the railway, turning right before the A27 to cross back over the railway, and following the south coast cycleway route towards Emsworth and Havant where Adrian had arranged to meet us. We added another member, Jill, who caught up with the group before we reached Havant and met Adrian outside McDonalds.

We decided to press on, so we crossed the railway at Bedhampton (after waiting for a considerable time as the crossing gates were closed), and began the ascent of Portsdown Hill. The group fractured on the climb but coalesced again at the viewpoint where we took coffee along with a large
group of leather-clad bikers.



We pressed on along the ridge then parted company with Jim and Freda as we turned left to descend down into Porchester. We continued to the castle and everybody decided to eat sandwiches or other provisions on some benches inside the castle in the lee of the seaward walls. For future reference the
nearest pub, the Cormorant, had a sign outside saying ‘table reservations only’. The next pub along (the White Hart?) looked a better bet for lunch.



The wind had not been noticeable as we cycled east, but was now strengthening from the east as we started back. We took the lower road for our return trip to Emsworth via back streets and over Bedhampton crossing (again closed for multiple trains). The usual cafe was closed for the weekend so we went down to the waterfront where a large crane was lifting boats into dry-dock for the winter. The cafe was full so we returned to Heidi’s where Phil and Mary had tea but the others decided to press on as the sky was now overcast and there was now a distinct threat of the promised rain in the air.



Phil Turner

16/10/2005

Ride on Sunday, 9 October 2005 ? Chichester Cross to Beach West Wittering

Leader Freda Birch

Riders starting at The Cross, Chichester
Gill, Mike, Harvey, Janet and Jim
Rider joined at coffee stop - Eric
Rider joined at lunch stop - Adrian

A beautiful October day, following several recent days of overcast skies.

Departed promptly at 10.00 am for the coffee stop at the Chichester Marina via Apuldram Lane and the cycle route from Dell Quay to the Marina. Whilst at the Marina conversation with a lone cyclist drew the leader's attention to the Salturns cycle route from Itchenor Village Hall to West Wittering and that it was possible to cycle from West Wittering car park to East Wittering along the seafront housing estates.

The new route was used and proved a great success needing only a short ride on the main road to the shops. The route has been surfaced in some parts with hard-packed sand and in other parts it is grass – all well signposted.

Eric and Mike took lunch at the Beach Cafe – not easy as all tables reserved but in the end they were accommodated on the outside veranda! The rest of the group took their sandwiches to the beach at West Wittering and enjoyed an hour in the sun. The ride continued along the seafront route via the housing estates. This proved a successful
alternative to the main road between the villages.

The route continued via Bracklesham Bay, Earnley, Ham, Sidlesham and Hunston finally arriving back in Chichester along the canal. Tea and cake enjoyed at the Canal Basin at about 3.0 pm, distance 26 miles.

Freda

SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER 2005 - Ride to Aldingbourne Country Centre
Despite the absence of quite a few members on overseas touring, the club's UK operations continue and in conjunction with WSCC a short easy paced ride was arranged for today, commencing from Bognor Library.

The weather was better than might be hoped for in October, with brilliant sunshine, an almost cloudless sky, and temperatures hitting 20 degrees. Even so, only 3 set out for Aldingbourne - myself, Ann, and Julian.

Our route took us to Felpham village, Middleton, and Yapton, where we followed the towpath of the old canal from Tack Lee Bridge to Ham Lane, before hitting the tarmac again to Barnham. From there, we diverted across the trackway (known locally as Pit Cut) to Eastergate Lane, then into Level Mare Lane before risking life and limb to cross an extremely busy A27 to reach the peace and quiet of the country centre.

After exchanging holiday tales over several cups of tea, we returned to Bognor via Crockerhill, Aldingbourne Church, Hook Lane, Woodgate, Shripney Lane, and Bersted. All in all a pleasant afternoon's ride, distance covered being a modest 18.25 miles.


Graham

Sunday 2 October, Tiffens Petworth, Chichester Cross Start
7 met at the Cross, the Leader Edwin together with Jeff and Beatrice, Mike Dunn, Richard, Vanessa and newcomer Gary Welham. Adrian later joined us at Cocking. Weather was sunny, temperatures about 17c with a blowy NW wind.

The riders took a flat route up Centurion Way. We were delayed at the top end. The latch on a gate into a field had come loose and a lot of cattle had stayed onto the path. As we approached they bolted up towards the road and then along the cyclepath adjoining the road causing a little traffic chaos.We continued on our way to Cocking meeting up with Ernie and Nicola at the Moonlight Cafe.

Our route then took lanes via Heyshott and on to Tiffins for lunch a little late at 1.15. We met the Walberton Pond group and Richard returned with them via Cocking and Adrian made his own way back direct to Portsmouth. Vanessa and Gary also decided to make their own way back as Vanessa was struggling with the hills.

Edwin, Mike, Jeff and Beatrice returned on lanes to Bury stopping for Tea at the Barn by the Willow Cafe meeting up with Dave Fox, Dave Galle, John Wickens and Richard Boulton from Arun Adur.

Edwin

Heading up the Centurion Way

Elevenses at the Moonlight Cafe, Cocking

Sunday 2 October, Tiffins Petworth, Walberton Pond start.
3 met at the Pond, the Leader Colin together with Gillian and Chris.Weather was sunny, temperatures about 17c with a blowy NW wind.

The riders stopped for elevenses at the Barn by the Willow Cafe before heading on up to Petworth. After sandwiches the riders met the Chichester Cross group at Tiffens. The groups split up again with each taking a route back which the other came out on. Richard joined the group for a quicker way back to Chichester.

Edwin for Colin

Sunday 25 September
Today was the last of the 2005 DA Events being a 27 mile Reliability Ride starting and finishing from Wiggonholt. The idea was to judge pace and complete the ride within 15 minutes either side of a time from fast to very slow chosen by the rider in advance. We all made our own way to Wiggonholt for elevenses before the start of the Ride.

We had a good turnout from our Section with 7 taking part being myself, Colin, Nicola, Phil and Mary and Jeff and Beatrice on their Tandems. Heavy rain earlier had cleared by the time I left home at 8.40 and skies brightened during the day feeling warm at times for late September.

We had some interest at the start of the Ride. Mark Jones known to one of our members had contacted me previously and arrived to ask us to take part in a study on Cyclists and back pain for Southampton University. After completing a short questionnaire those willing to take part rode past a flag marker while Mark took a picture of our Riding position

We set off on the ride which took us out over Greatham Bridge, through Coldwaltham to the crossroads just before Burton Mill where it turned north to Byworth and then on to Kirdford. The return leg was back through Wisborough Green to Newpound Common, over New Bridge(A272), down to Adversane and across the A29 and then it was south from Broadford Bridge to West Chiltington and Nutbourne Common before returning up the A283 to the RSPB Centre again.

The final results of the years DA Events can be seen at the DA Website under “Events” Our Section managed 3rd place (out of 3) Congratulations to Colin who was placed 2nd in the individual event.

The results of the Reliability Ride are below –

WSCTC DA Reliability Ride

25th September 2005 Start time: 11.30am Start/Finish: RSPB Centre

Points: 5 points for starting
and 5 more points for being within the time limit

Name - Prediction - Actual
Difference - Pos'n

Bognor & Chichester
Edwin Jones 2hrs 11mins 2hrs 7mins -4mins =3rd
P & M Turner * 2hrs 11mins 2hrs 5mins -6mins 7th
J & B Lander * 2hrs 26mins 2hrs 24mins -2mins =1st
Colin Bloomfield 2hrs 11mins 2hrs 2mins -9mins 8th


Arun-Adur
Dave Fox 2hrs 11mins 2hrs 9mins -2mins =1st
Dave Galle 1hr 41mins 1hr 36mins -5mins 6th
John Wickens 2hrs 55mins 2hrs 59mins +4mins =3rd
Nicola Yerrell 2hrs 26mins 2hrs 22mins -4mins =3rd


Horsham & Crawley
Adrian Vieler 3hrs 8mins 3hrs 41mins +33mins =9th
J & R Inman * 3hrs 8mins 3hrs 41mins +33mins =9th
Marion Inman 3hrs 8mins 3hrs 41mins +33mins =9th


* tandem

Edwin Jones

ride report
Sunday the 18th September 2005, three Cafes ride.
12 riders met at The cafe in Bosham and we were joined by three more riders. At 11:05 we proceeded to Rowlands castle via Woodmancote and Westbourne. On arrival we were joined by more riders who altogether made a total of 18, the weather was fine and sunny and the food and the Rowlands castle cafe was excellent as usual. Our departure was delayed by a particulary difficult puncture and because of this we had to take a fairly direct route to the afternoon tea stop at the Roman palace at Fishbourne where tea and cakes were consumed in some quantity after that everybody dispersed at about 4pm. Thanks to everybody who turned up and made it such a pleasent ride. Arthur Smith.

Sunday 18 September. Riding to the start on Chichester Canal Towpath.Pictures below by Edwin. Ride report by Lynn to follow.

Sunday 18 September. All hands to the Wheel. Mending Mike`s Puncture

Sunday 18 September. Leaving Rowlands Castle

Sunday 11 September. The Forresters, Kirdford, Chichester Start.
Edwin led this ride on behalf of Phil who was away and was joined by Avryl and Adrian.

Weather was overcast but dry and cooler than of late at about 18C.

The route took in the climb up to Pillygreen and then along the ridge and down on the main road to Upwaltham. After a swoop down Duncton Hill the riders took a sharp right at the bottom and then lanes to Petworth for elevenses at Tiffins. The group joined Arun Adur members being Dave Galle, Richard Boulton, John Maxim and John Wickens.

Arun Adur left to do a longer loop to the pub and just as we were leaving the Walberton Pond group of Harvey, Gill and Colin arrived.

We continued on a direct route via Ball Cross arriving soon after opening and getting established in the rear garden. We were soon joined by Arun Adur, the Walberton group and Alan, Liz, Eric, Mike and Chris who came direct.

In the afternoon we headed down to Wiggonholt via Wisborough Green and the track eventually coming out at Broomers Hill. We met up with Arun Adur again at Wiggonholt. Avryl gained a puncture just as we left Wiggonholt which was quickly fixed by Colin.

Return was via Amberley and Houghton Hill

Edwin

Sunday 11 September. The Forresters, Kirdford, Walberton Start.
Harvey led the ride and was joined by Gill and Colin.

Weather was overcast but dry and cooler than of late at about 18C.

The route took in Madehurst, Houghton and then across to Bury, Bignor and lanes to Petworth for elevenses at Tiffins. The group arrived just as the Chichester group of Edwin, Adrian and Avryl were leaving. After elevenses the group continued via Balls Cross to Kirdford joining up with the Chichester group and Arun Adur at the Pub. The groups combined after lunch, see the Chichester group writeup.

Edwin for Harvey

Sunday 11 September. Lunch at the Forresters