Saturday 16 July. A Saturday Ride in Tuscany
This a a days ride in the latter part of a 2 week tour of Tuscany and its neighbouring region of Romagna.

The days ride started fom our base for the last few days of Sestola at over 3000ft.

The day started as had the last few days with unbroken clear blue skies and temperatures reaching over 30C.
On the trip there was myself , the organiser Dave Fox and a friend of Dave's from Somerset. Mike Green.

We started with a long downhill to Pievepelago. We stopped here for picnic provisions. This was also the start of the 1500 metres climb to the Radici Pass. As we stopped to check the junction at the bottom an Italian Cyclist stopped to advise us on the route in impeccable English.

We then had a 10 mile climb but the heat wasn't too excessive thanks to lots of trees and a cooling breeze. We stopped for elevenses half way up at Sant Anne Pelago and then a picnic lunch at the top of the pass.




Dave Fox on the climb

We then continued on a minor road which involved steep gradients for another 100 metres. We then had a steep descent in dramatic scenery to the next valley. Brake rims heated up on downhill gradients registering up to 22% on my Cyclo Altitude bike computer.

We stopped for a pleasant shaded tea at a bar half way down at Chiozza and then headed down the mountain to the main valley road. We then needed to find our accommodation which had been booked at a place called Ill Cicero rather than the nearby mountain town of Bargo which was booked up due to a music festival.

The only problem with the accommodation was the 2 mile driveway up the side of the mountain up its own set of multiple hairpins. We arrived very hot and sweaty at what turned out to be a 4 star hotel. When we signed the checkin forms I left a pool of sweat on the counter to some disapproving glares from the receptionist.

We finished the day with a welcome swim and sunbathe with beautiful views to the mountains across the valley and to the adjoining hilltop town of Barga.




Ride Reward

Price was reasonable for the quality at
149 euros for 3 of us.

Mileage for the day was 41.35 and the days total climbing was 4074 ft.

Edwin

THURSDAY 14 JULY 2005 - Evening Ride: Felpham The Fox to The Murrell Arms, Barnham
In perfect weather, 6 riders set out from Felpham and followed a circuitous route via Bognor Golf club across the tracks to the hamlet of Flansham, crossing the unspoilt country and wheat fields on which it is proposed to plant 600 new houses plus the associated Bognor by-pass. We then proceeded via Worms lane, Larks field, Arun Chase and Bilsham to Yapton.

From Tack Lee Bridge we then took the towpath of the old canal before returning to the tarmac at Barnham mill, then following Mill Lane and Church Lane direct to the Murrell Arms.

On arrival we found the Chichester contingent had got there just ahead of us.

The return route was direct via Yapton, Middleton and Felpham and approximate round-trip mileage was 15.


Graham

Sunday July 10 05
This was scheduled as a 30ml easy ride. Richard Carlisle was unable to lead and delegated to me. It was an unusually hot day but nevertheless there was a good turnout. The numbers fluctuated somewhat owing to the temporary loss of 2 cyclists who were overkeen, racing ahead and missing the turning and then one who went to find them. 3 others joined us at different stages. Overall there were 11 which included 3 new faces.

Assured that the newcomers could manage a few hills we took the route to Arundel via Eartham, Slindon, Madehurst and Whiteways,stopping for breaks at Eartham and Whiteways. We had 2 punctures en route giving us a long stop amongst the hoards of motorcyclists gathered at Whiteways. Onwards,-flying downhill to Arundel and the Putting Green. It was a pleasant surprise to find plenty of free tables and with welcome umbrellas to give us shade.

Our return route was via Binsted Woods, Walberton and Drayton with people dispersing on the way.

Total mileage 30mls.

Avryl Bavister

Saturday tea ride
Saturday teas ride to the Earnley Butterfly farm, was enjoyed by three club members and three visitors. We went via Birdham Marina, Bell lane and to Earnley. Home through Almondington to Siddlesham Common and the Yacht Basin, then back to Chichester via Appuldram lane, weather dull to start but sunny on the way home 19 and a half miles and very windy.
Kath

Wednesday 6 July. Evening Ride. Chichester Start
This was the 6.00 pm start from Chichester and only the leader Jeff and Avryl attended. It was decided not to go to Dell Quay for a meal and Jeff instead led a 1 1/2 hour ride round some of the tracks of the Manhood peninsular.

Edwin for Jeff

WEDNESDAY 6JULY 2005 - Evening Ride: Felpham start
Just a brief note about this ride, which was advertised as "nominate leader on the day".

In the event this turned out to be a ladies only ride, with Val, Karen and Janet setting out from the start point In good weather.

The group rode via Bognor seafront, to The Waverley at Aldwick, which allowed plenty of time before the return journey.

Graham

Sunday 3 July. The Cricketers Wisborough Green
This ride was nominate leader on the day and Harvey did the honours. Other riders attending were Avryl, Jill and Richard. Richard had to go back from the elevenses stop. Weather was overcast but dry. The ride was via Whiteways and Amberley to stop for elevenses at Wiggonholt. The ride continued to Wisborough Green via West Chiltington.

The afternoon tea stop was again at Wiggonholt.

Edwin for Harvey

Sunday 3rd July. A Sunday Ride in Jersey.
Today was part of a 5 day trip where I joined Jeff and Beatrice Lander exploring the Channel Island of Jersey.

Weather was warm and Sunny about 22c. We were staying at the new YHA at Gorey on the east coast. The YHA had converted the premises previously used for the filming of Bergarac's Offices. The premises are also close to the famous Mount Orgueil Castle dominating Gorey Harbour.

Our ride today was across to the far SW corner. We first headed across to St Hellier on the Southern coast taking one of 7 signed cycle routes which criss cross the Island. The main roads can be busy but there is a great network of minor roads. Many of these are the Islands "Green Lanes". These are very narrow, often only just a cars width and with a speed limit of 15mph. As a result very few cars use them.

Our first stop of the day was to visit Elizabeth Castle built on a rock in the bay off St Hellier and only accessible 2 hours either side of low tide by walking along a causeway.




The Causeway to Elizabeth Castle


We continued the ride on the cyclepath along the prom around the bay to stop for Lunch at St Aubins. In the afternoon we took in the views from the Portelet Peninsular with German Gun emplacements. Then on to the far SW corner and a tea stop at Corbiere Point overlooking the lighthouse.




Cycling the St Hellier Prom cyclepath

We returned to St Hellier via a Cyclepath on an old railway path and then headed inland and back on more signed cycle routes on lanes.

Edwin

THURSDAY 30 JUNE 2005 - Evening Ride: Felpham, The Fox to Newburgh Arms Slindon
Due to adverse weather conditions, (high wind and heavy downpours - what else can you expect in June?) this ride was abandoned at the start point.

Graham

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

Sunday 26 June Picture, Beach House Cafe.

Thursday 23 June. Bognor Regis CC Open 10 mile Time Trial
Not exactly related to a Club Ride but a bit of interesting local news follows. Today Sean Yates took part in the Bognor Regis Cycling Club annual Open 10 mile Time Trial held between Fontwell and Chichester. For those not in to these things Sean Yates comes from East Sussex and raced a lot in the big Continental tours including holding the Yellow Jersey of the Tour de France for a few days in 1988. He is now assistant Directeur Sportif (Race Team organiser) of Lance Armstrong’s Discovery team (formerly US Postal). On a calm warm evening there were a lot of fast times but Sean Yates was the clear winner with a time of 19 minutes 56 seconds for the 10 miles ( a fraction over 30 mph average speed!) The picture is of Sean Yates at the start at Fontwell.

Edwin

Wednesday 22 June: Chichester start
Four riders left Chichester Cross soon after 6pm in glorious sunshine -
Edwin, Phil, Mary & guest Paul McLaughlin. We headed down the canal,
crossed over to North Mundham and followed the road down through South
Mundham along a track which eventually comes out by the Crab and
Lobster. We then turned back north to the Blacksmith's Arms, arriving at
about 7:15pm to order our food and meet Paul and Gillian who had arrived
separately by tandem. We ate out on the patio and were eventually joined
by another four riders who arrived from Bognor.

Phil Turner

WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE 2005 - Evening Ride: Felpham, The Fox to Blacksmiths Arms Donnington
Support for the summer evening rides has been patchy, and on this balmy mid summer evening in perfect cycling conditions it was disappointing that only 4 riders set out for Donnington. (John, Julian, Val and myself.)

Leaving Felpham we headed for Bognor seafront, and threaded our way through the traffic of the West End and Aldwick before heading into open country along the Lower Road and the Park Farm byways.
After diverting through Mundham village we reached Hunston where we took the canal towpath to Donnington, stopping en route to inspect the old alignment of the former railway to Selsey.

Donnington Bridge was soon reached, and we arrived at our destination to find the Chichester group "Diners Club" enjoying their meal.

We returned to Felpham almost entirely by road, although we diverted again through the tracks at Park Farm.

Felpham was reached, still with the last of the daylight, at 10.15pm.

Mileage from start, back to start point, a very modest 18.


Graham

Sunday 19 June 2005 ,Ride to Rowlands Castle. (Tea Ride)
Arthur was away on a late arranged holiday to the Dordogne so I substituted as Leader.

Weather was unbroken sunshine and hot. Weather records showed a maximum for the day of 25c but it felt hotter with high humidity.

We met at 10.00 at the Cross. 9 of us started out, myself, Alan, Bruce, Gillian, Freda, Jim, Roy, Sonja, and a newcomer from Chichester Mike Trussler. Adrian joined us at Bosham. Eric, Clare and Vernon joined us at Rowlands Castle and Dave and Jan joined us at West Stoke so 15 were out at one time or another.





We headed over to Bosham taking the winding lanes to Bosham Hoe and the Harbour road with good views across the harbour. We stopped at the harbour front cafe. We had a short delay while Adrian mended a puncture.

We took the usual route on the South Coast Cycle Route lanes to Rowlands Castle where we met up with Arun Adur members including the 2 Dave’s, Fox and Galle and the 2 John’s, Maxim and Wickens.

In the afternoon we took a fairly direct route back via Funtington to West Stoke hall arriving dead on opening time of 3.00. Dave said I was improving. Unfortunately the motorists had arrived much earlier and bagged the outside tables. We found a bench outside at the side of the hall where we could shelter from the sun. Somebody made a comparison with sheep huddled together in the shade.





After lots of tea and cake we headed back into the still hot air to complete a very pleasant days ride.

Mileage from and back to start point - 35.

Edwin