Sunday 26 June to Beach House Cafe West Wittering, Walberton Pond Start.
This was the short alternative Ride to Arthur’s easy 100 mile ride. I deputised for Philippa who was unable to make it. There were 4 of us at the start, myself, John Maxim, Harvey and Christine. Adrian and Eric joined us for lunch at the cafe.

The day was pleasantly warm and sunny all day. Temperatures got up to 22c with lower humidy and a fresh NE breeze making it feel less oppressive than recent days.

The outward route took in Eastergate, Oving, Merston and Hunston. We then took the canal towpath to the Donnington road and another stretch of the canal to come out opposite the road to the Yacht Basin. We stopped for elevenses at the Yacht basin cafe.

We took more lanes via Birdham Pool and Birdham to West Wittering. Lunch was on the Balcony of the Cafe. John ordered mushroom soup and chips. We watched in a little amazement as he poured some of the chips into the soup.

We were nearly ready to leave when the 100 mile group arrived after their first 50 miles. There were 15 in the group including some of Arthur’s friends from the Moulton Club. They had started with 19 but 4 didn’t come all the way.

Our group left the 100 milers to their lunch and headed back on lanes via Bracklesham and Earnley. From the Selsey road we took a track and lanes to Fisher and Runcton to stop for tea at Manor Garden Centre, Runcton.

We headed back via Merston. I left the group to head home at Oving. Approximate mileage from and back to the start was 37.



Edwin