Sunday 10 December. Christmas Lunch rides.

There were 2 rides today a short one led by Richard and an alternative long fast ride led by me and billed an Appetite Improver Ride.

 

We met 8.15 at the Cross with the sun just rising and a thick carpet of frost on the ground. I was joined by Sam and Phil and Mary.

 

Weather was bright clear and sunny in the morning starting very cold with a  temperature of zero and rising to 9C later in the day. Rain came in later but not until late afternoon.

 

We took the opportunity of light early traffic to ride up the main road to Singleton and then along the valley via East Dean. Then down Duncton Hill and backroads up to Petworth. There were patches of thin ice on puddles in places but luckily temperatures were not quite low enough for anything slippery.

 

We reached Petworth at 9.50 and with Tiffins closed till 11.00 we went to the old timbered café of Saddlers Rest which opens at 9.00. 2 cyclists from Guildford were already there and 7 Worthing Excelsior rides arrived later.

 

We headed back on the same route with a stiff climb up Duncton Hill and then via Eartham and Oving to the Walnut Tree, Runcton for the Christmas Lunch.

 

22 attended the lunch and the appetite was well and truly satisfied after the 3rd course. I headed directly back home after lunch only catching the beginning of some light rain.

 

46 miles for the day.

Edwin

Sunday 10 December. Leaving Petworth Cafe.

Sunday 10 December. Christmas Lunch at the Walnut Tree, Runcton

Sunday 3 December 2006. Ride from Chichester Cross to Emsworth
Avril & Keith from Littlehampton were the only riders to set off from the
Cross for this ride.

After the previous night's torrential rain & strong gales, conditions were
cold, clear and blustery. The ride stopped at Mariner's Coffee Shop in
Bosham for elevenses where I met up with Keith and Avril.

After refeshments and attempting a newspaper crossword that Keith had
brought along we headed pretty much straight for Emsworth along the A259,
save for a brief diversion through Prinsted. Despite the worst of the
previous night's weather having calmed, a combination of frequent floods and
debris on the road, and blustery side and headwinds, made the ride
interesting to say the least!

Soon after we arrived at The Greenhouse Cafe in Emsworth Lynn and Arthur
arrived, having travelled over there by car. After a leisurely lunch there
we made our own ways home.

My mileage for the day was 49km.

Adrian

Sunday 26 November. Ride from Chichester Cross to Arundel.

Today’s ride was nominate Leader on the day and I was elected. 4 more joined me at the Cross, Avryl, Harvey, Adrian and Richard. The Cross itself was taped off with many Rotary Club members busy putting up the Christmas Tree and its lights.

 

Rain was forecast for the middle of the day but in the end none arrived and a cloudy morning gave way to a bright and sunny afternoon and very mild with temperatures up to 15C.

 

We rode via Westhampnett and back roads to Halnacker and then across to the Eartham road and down to Aldingbourne for elevenses. We were joined here by Alan and Liz. Despite the heavy rain overnight we decided to risk the track through Binsted woods. This has the advantage of very quiet backroads either side of the track. When we reached it the stony base prevented much mud but some parts were more puddles than track.

 

We continued on quiet roads through the golden colours of the woods and then through estates to Arundel. We had lunch at the Tudor Rose Cafe.

 

The afternoon ride took us down a very quiet Ford Road the reason for which turned out to be the crossing being closed for engineering works and all traffic being diverted. We got round this by using the underpass at the Station.

 

Richard and I stopped for tea at Alan and Liz’s. I got back home just as the sun was setting below a red streaked sky.

 

For me 38 miles for the day.

 

 

Edwin

 

Sunday 26 November. Binsted Puddles

Sunday 26 November. Riding through Binsted Woods

Sunday 12 November. Ride to Rowlands Castle.

7 of us met at Chichester Cross, myself (Edwin) Richard, Harvey, Avryl,Christine and Alan and Liz. I led the ride in place of Arthur who couldn't make it. Weather was very good with a light westerly wind and a lot of Sun all day and temperatures up to 13C. 

I led the ride up Centurion Way and then lanes to West Stoke. A piece of metal on the road caused an instant rear wheel deflation. I asked Richard to take the Group on while I mended the puncture. A touch of training pace riding saw me catch up just as the rest were entering the Greenhouse Cafe, Emsworth for Elevenses. We continued via Westbourne to the Village Café, Rowlands Castle for lunch. Here we met up with Adrian and Sam and briefly John Maxim who went back early. 

After lunch 9 of us now headed back on the South Coast Cycle Route with a stop for tea at Hillier's Garden Centre Café. 

Edwin

Sunday 12 November. Meeting at Chichester Cross

Sunday 12 November. Leaving Rowlands Castle

Sunday 5 November, Ride to DA AGM

Phil led this ride out and I led back. There was an early 9.00 am start at Walbeton Pond for the ride over to Wiggonholt. A good sized group gathered being myself (Edwin) Phil and Mary, Avryll, Ann, Colin and Harvey. Weather was very cold early on near to freezing but rising to 13C later with a lot of sunshine.

We took a direct route via Madhurst and then down Houghton Hill. There was a striking view from the top with layers of mist in the Valley. We continued via Amberley to Wiggonholt. We were joined there by Eric, Mike and Jeff. A good number from Arun Adur attended and a few from Horsham.

After the AGM we went on to Amberley for lunch where Sam was just leaving. We joined Arun Adur on the way back as far as Houghton where they turned off to do a longer loop round via Sutton and we headed straight back with a diversion via Slindon to stop for tea at Aldingbourne.

Edwin

Sunday 5 November, Ride to DA AGM

Phil led this ride out and I led back. There was an early 9.00 am start at Walberton Pond for the ride over to Wiggonholt. A good sized group gathered being myself (Edwin) Phil and Mary, Avryll, Ann, Colin and Harvey. Weather was very cold early on near to freezing but rising to 13C later with a lot of sunshine.

We took a direct route via Madhurst and then down Houghton Hill. There was a striking view from the top with layers of mist in the valley. We continued via Amberley to Wiggonholt. We were joined there by Eric, Mike and Jeff. A good number from Arun Adur attended and a few from Horsham.

After the AGM we went on to Amberley for lunch where Sam was just leaving. We joined Arun Adur on the way back as far as Houghton where they turned off to do a longer loop round via Sutton and we headed straight back with a diversion via Slindon to stop for tea at Aldingbourne.

45 miles for the day

 

Edwin

Sunday 29 October. Lane near West Ashling

Sunday 29 October. 11s at Compton

Sunday 22 October. Ride to West Stoke for AGM.
Heavy rain was forecast for today but it started dry if threatening. Alan had asked me to lead the ride for him and I went to the Cross but only Phil turned up.

The ride was short heading out on Clay lane and then up a lane to West Stoke Village Hall. Gill, Harvey, Colin and Adrian came by bike direct. Another 13 came to the AGM car assisted so 19 in all attended.

We went through the usual business of minutes and Accounts. All of the Officers and Committee were re-elected unopposed. Under any other business we decided to make the day for all Evening Rides Thursdays and had a long discussion on various methods of attracting new members.

The rain started soon after we got in the Hall and continued torrential throughout the meeting. After the meeting some of us had sandwiches in the Hall. Nobody was interested in going on to the Pub.

It was 1.20 by the time I left the Hall by which time the rain was just starting to ease from torrential to light. Everybody on bikes made their own way back at different times and in different directions. I headed down a lane towards Chichester which was like a river in places. My departure time was well chosen as the rain eased to very light during my ride with the next pulse of torrential rain starting soon after I returned home.

Exactly 20 miles for the day and a good workout for the waterproofs.

Edwin








Send instant messages to your online friends ht