7 of us met at the Cross, myself (Edwin) Phil, Mary, Ann, Avryl, Jeff and Richard. Weather was cooler than of late at about 24C but dry and mainly sunny with scattered cloud.

We took a route out via Goodwood Park and then over the Downs to Pillygreen Lodge and down to East Dean and the lane to Upwaltham. We descended Duncton Hill where Richard left us to return via Graffham. We continued on lanes to stop for elevenses at Tiffins in Petworth. We looked on with some interest over our tea and cakes as 2 mounted Hussars in full dress uniform rode past on the way to a festival at Petworth House.

We continued on beautiful leafy lanes via Balls Cross and Kirdford to Wisborough Green. Horsham Section members were already well settled at the Pub and we set up camp for the Picnic under a tree opposite the Pub.

We were soon joined by Arun Adur members and Harvey with Alan and Liz making up the Walberton Pond start and Colin and Chris who came direct. Ernie and Nicola also came direct. 30 attended the Picnic in all.

For the return ride our members with Arun Adur members formed a big joint group of 17 to ride via Kirdford and Byworth to stop for tea at the Sutton Hospitality Festival. Mary had seen the sign for this on the mornings ride and we had come across it 2 years ago when they did excellent teas at the Vicarage. Luckily the same arrangement applied this year and we were soon settled in the Vicarage back Garden. We would make this a regular Tea Stop but unfortunately it only opens once every 2 years when the festival is held.

Arun Adur members headed back east and the rest of us took a little used route up Bignor Hill, steepest in Sussex. Then down the track on the other side to Madehurst and back to the coast.

60 miles done by the time I returned home.

Edwin

Phil, Mary and John left the cross on another sultry evening. We headed south to the yacht basin and followed the canal down through Hunston to the entrance to Chichester Marina. We then followed the A286 south west to the roundabout, and made our way back through Birdham to re-cross the canal by the footbridge in the Marina. There was little activity in the marina as we crossed over the main lock gate and took the path through the woods to meet the lane just east of Appledram and finally made our way to the Anchor. It was an evening of vivid colours. The weeds in the canal were bright green. The tide was low and the mudflats also showed green vegetation. The sun setting in the smoggy west was a brilliant red. To the south, another evening thunder storm provided flashes of forked lightening and rumbles of thunder. We were joined by Richard, Elizabeth & family, then the group from Bognor led by Edwin.

Phil Turner

We, Liz and I (Alan) met Dawn, Fred and Sonja at Quarry Lane en route to Chichester Cross. There we met Harvey. I suggested a route via Emsworth taking Clay Lane to the A259 and Southbourne to Emsworth where we met Roy Wasdell. We took the track through to Westbourne and then on to Rowlands Castle.

It was very hot with not many people or Cyclists at the Cafe. In view of the heat we took a direct route back via Fishbourne Roman Palace via Clay Lane for tea, leaving Roy at Westbourne Harvey split off at Chichester and the rest of us headed back to Bognor along the Cycle path. Distance from and back to Felpham was 42 miles

Alan