Sunday 9 July. Tichborne near New Arlesford

Today we had a long ride from Chichester meeting up for elevenses at Tesco Cafe, Petersfield with riders coming there direct by car or bike.

I led the ride in place of Phil and Mary who were not able to make it. Weather was not promising at first with constant light rain and a strong SW wind. This however cleared by 11.00 with good sunshine in the afternoon.

Gillian, Colin and Chris joined me for the ride to Petersfield. We rode via Funtington, Compton and Harting. We had a welcome break at Tesco where we were joined by Steve, Ann, Adrian and John Wickens from Arun Adur.

Gillian and Chris headed back from Petersfield. The remaining 6 of us headed on by way of a lane to East Meon and then along the Meon Valley to West Meon. Then along some quiet lanes to Cheriton and on to lunch at the Tichborne Arms, Tichborne.

In the afternoon we did a lot of meandering up and down quiet Hampshire lanes near Privett and High Cross. The planned route was to descend down to Petersfield on the hairpin bends of " Little Switzerland" near Steep. However when we arrived at the top the road was firmly closed with 2 lots of substantial barriers preventing even bikes getting through and a notice about serious subsidence.

The map was consulted and the diversion by road would have been quite long. There was a bridlepath on the map down a farm track so we headed down it. After following the ridge a little way the track plunged steeply over the edge with deep ruts and slippery chalk which we all walked down. At the bottom we rejoined tarmac at Oakshott and took winding lanes to Steep and Petersfield.

Everybody agreed it was a memorable and challenging Ride. By the time I returned to Pagham my mileage was 85 and from and back to the Cross it was 73.

Edwin