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