Evening Ride to Kings Head, Drayton. Felpham start
I led this ride on behalf of Graham who is away in Sunny Spain. There were 6 at the Fox being myself, Karen, Val, Julian, John and Alan.

Weather was sunny but rather cool with a first taste of autumn.

We headed out through town, not the Seafront as this was closed for a Bank Holiday Fair. Then up the Aldwick Road and cutting across on the concrete farm track. This was quite muddy in places after the downpours of Wednesday and the heavy shower at midday today.

Then onto the Pagham road and across to Merston on the lane and up to the Kings Head on the cyclepath arriving 20 minutes after sunset. We were joined from Chichester by Richard and Arthur and clan. We also met up with Dave and Jan who had come direct and Chris joined us and later returned with us.

Some of us tried out the Pubs homemade crisps, cooked while we waited and delivered hot on a plate.

The return was direct on the cycle route to Bognor to conclude the last Evening ride of the year.

Edwin

Sunday 21 August. Walberton Pond Start. Ride to Dragons Green.
9 of us started from the Pond led by Colin being myself, Colin, Tom, Steve Thomas, Chris, Steve and Bernie and newcomers Clive and Yvonne.

Weather was cloudy to start with but by eleven had cleared to a warm day with blue skies and occasional clouds.

Colin led us out via the Spur and Madehurst to Whiteways and then a good fast descent to Houghton. We continued via Amberley to stop for elevenses at Wiggonholt. Alan and Elizabeth joined us at Wiggonholt but made their own way to the Pub. Elizabeth has made her first Bike rides of any length this last week since breaking her arm but her speed is still limited.

The ride continued on a fairly direct route via Watery Lane and West Chiltington to arrive at the Pub at 12.01.

We returned by way of Ashington and then lanes via Warminghurst to Storrington, Parham Park and Amberley to stop for tea at Houghton Bridge Tea Rooms. This made for a pleasant stop in the Garden at the edge of the river with a couple of Swans begging for food. John Maxim met up with us at Houghton after being over to Trotton for Lunch.

On the return to Walberton the mileage from and back to the Pond was 42.5. My mileage from and back to Pagham was 63.

Edwin for Colin

21 Aug. Wiggonholt

21 Aug. Riding lane near Coolham on the return

Sunday 21 August. Chichester Start. Ride to Selsey
Jan deputised for Dave to lead the ride as far as elevenses. She was joined at the Cross by Diana, Kath and newcomer Jeff. The day was warm and sunny with occasional clouds. The riders stopped for elevenses at the Yacht Basin Cafe were Dave joined and led the ride from there. Diana had to return home after elevenses.

Dave took the group on backroads and lanes. At the Cafe in Selsey 3 more joined including Lynn and Andrew. The entire group had sandwiches and as the Cafe was full to overflowing they retired to the Beach and a shady spot by the car park.

In the afternoon some of the Group stopped at Dave and Jan’s house for tea. Mileage from and back to Chichester Cross was 25.

Edwin for Dave

Wednesday 17 July, Evening Ride, Chichester Start.
On a beautiful sunny evening there were 9 out on the Ride. The Leaders Freda and Jim and Kath, Phil and Mary, Avryl, Arthur and Lynn and Andrew.

The route took in the cyclepath past the College to the station and then down the Canal Towpath to Hunston. Then the new Cyclepath bypassing the roundabout to Runcton. Then more traffic free riding down lanes to South Mundam and a short field crossing to Summer Lane in Pagham. Phil lifted the bikes over the Gate at the Pagham end of Summer Lane and Arthur caught them. The group then headed up the B road to the Royal Oak.

After meeting another 10 riders from Bognor making for a record turnout for the year the group took a direct route back via Runcton and Vinnetrow road.

Edwin for Freda

Wednesday 17 August, Evening Ride, Felpham Start.
On a beautiful sunny evening 8 started from Felpham. Myself, Graham, Roy and Anne, Chris, Julian, John, and Val. We headed out on backroads through Felpham to the footpath going across the Rife to the Felpham bypass.

It was then that an incident filled evening started. Just as we turned onto the footpath and still out of sight of the bypass we heard an almighty bang. We headed on up to the bypass and the lights crossing and 100 yards up towards the Leisure Centre 2 cars were skewed across the road with the front ends caved in from an apparent head on collision and a van also involved was sideways into the grass verge. One car was still smoking with the engine revving possibly from a drivers foot being jammed on the accelerator.

Some nearby car drivers made mobile phone calls to the emergency services and others helped get some of the occupants out of the cars. One seemed still to be trapped when the ambulance and Paramedics arrived.

With everything under control and as we were running late we headed on taking the cyclepath round the playing fields and lanes to the cyclepath to the coach park and then through town and up Linden Road to North Bersted. We took the cycleroute round the estates to the cycle crossing of the A259. Here the next incident occurred with a spot of road rage.

A small car pulled out of a side turning narrowly avoiding a collision with another car on the main road. The other car hooted the small car. Then a few hundred yards up the road the small car driver jammed on his brakes and leapt out of his car obviously incensed at being hooted and started running back toward the other car which had stopped just behind him. The other car then did a smoking wheels reverse (Dukes of Hazzard style) to get out of range and eventually they both drove off.

Worried by now about when incident number 3 would hit us we headed on up the cyclepath and then Merston and Runcton to the Royal Oak. I had arranged to meet Dawn and Fred at North Bersted but we were quite late getting there because of the accident so they had made their own way to the Pub. We met 9 on the Chichester ride making a record total turnout of 19 for the evening.

We returned on the B Road to Aldwick/Rose Green and I deputised Graham to lead back to Felpham while I turned off for home.

Edwin

Sunday 14 August. Ride to Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth.
I led this ride on behalf of Arthur who was away. We had 11 on the ride with myself, Gill, Jo, Avryl. Phil and Mary, Richard, Mike Trussler, Sam, Ernie and Jeff. Adrian made it up to 12 for the route from Emsworth to Portsmouth.

The weather was fine with cloud and sunny intervals but a strong NW wind. There were some threatening black clouds at times especially in the afternoon but never coming to more than a few spots.

We took the usual South Coast Cycle Route lanes to Emsworth where we stopped for elevenses. The ride continued to Havant and then down the Hayling Billy cycle path to West Hayling and on to the Ferry. We arrived just as a ferry pulled in. In Southsea I led the ride along the Esplanade and then across to the Fishbourne Ferry road and along to Gunwharf Quays.

We had a look at the Spinnaker Tower now completed and gleaming white and looking very spectacular. It will be open to the Public in about 3 weeks. Lunch was taken at a caf? overlooking the water.

We returned on cycle paths to Cosham and then back roads to Havant and Rowlands Castle for Tea. We then headed back via Westbourne.

Mileage to and from Chichester Cross was 47. Jo took some photos there to celebrate her longest mileage to date.

Edwin

Hayling Ferry

Spinnaker Tower

THURSDAY 11 AUGUST 2005 - Evening Ride: Felpham to The Black horse, Binsted
Another evening of excellent cycling weather as 7 riders left Felpham for Binsted by way of Middleton, Yapton, Ford station and Tortington.

After a slow but steady climb from Tortington we were rewarded with a downhill stretch as the lane dropped down into Binsted Wood, and at the point where the tarmac ran out we stopped for a brief look at the Madonna pond.

Binsted is mentioned in the Domesday Book and there are many myths and legends about the woods and pond (or Binsted Lake as it was called in earlier times). Paranormal activity is said to have been observed. However it is known that the statue of the Madonna was placed there in 1946 in more mundane circumstances.

Leaving the pond for the short climb out of the copse and back into civilisation, the tarmac started again as suddenly as it had stopped, and the pub was soon reached. On arrival the pub manager greeted us to explain that they could not open the garden gate, and we were invited to wheel our bikes through the lounge bar, to the bemusement of the regulars.

Repeating this performance for the return trip, we then set out to complete a circular ride by taking the sharp drop down Hedgers Hill and then up the other side, to Walberton, North End, and then back to Yapton, Middleton and Felpham. Round trip mileage was 18.


Graham

Sun.7.Aug Awayday Ride from Petersfield.10.30
A lovely sunny day enjoyed by all. We met at Petersfield Station at 10.30 where parking is free on Sundays. All 8 of us had come by car. We were then joined by 4 riders who had cycled from Chichester on the longer ride led by Edwin.

We headed off west from Petersfield and were soon cycling along a maze of quiet country lanes stopping at The Sustainable Centre tea rooms for mugs of coffee/tea and homemade cake. This is an "eco" place which was part of HMS Mercury which is now closed. For those interested, one can be buried here in a cardboard coffin and have a tree planted above. (The conversation can be imagined)

We headed South with wonderful views from Teglease Down and towards Ripley on lanes parallel with the busier Hambledon roads. The Horse and Jockey was our lunchtime stop and here we met two more of Edwins riders who somehow had missed him.

All 14 of us continued east. through Denmead and on to Clanfield. Edwins group left us here while we continued on to Butser hill - yes, to the top, and then came our reward. Oh, Edwin you did miss out. Halfway down a whizzee hill (Harvesting Lane) is a Barn where the most delicious cream teas are served on the lawn outside. Only one person was strong enough not to succumb.

Back to Petersfield. A farewell to Clare and Vernon and to wish them well on their 2 year round the world bike tour, and back home.

Many thanks to Jan Bambridge who lives in this area and who planned the delightful route.

Total 35 miles

Avryl Bavister (Leader)






Lane near Hipley

Sunday 7 August. Fast ride to Hipley from Chichester
Today there was a car assisted ride to Hipley from Petersfield which will be the subject of a separate Report. This was the fast ride starting from Chichester to join the main ride at Petersfield.

We met 8.30 Chichester Cross and there were 4 including myself with Chris, Ann and Mike Trussler.

We enjoyed a beautiful day with clear blue skies although a strong NW headwind to Petersfield. We took a fairly direct route via Compton, West Marden and Harting.





We did not get to Petersfield early enough to go to Tesco for breakfast as planned. We went on to the Railway Station to meet another 8 riders on the main Ride. Colin and Adrian joined us for lunch at Hipley.





In the afternoon we left the main group at Clanfield and headed back via Chalton to stop for Tea at Rowlands Castle. Mileage to and from the centre of Chichester was 62 and my mileage to and from Pagham was 75.

Edwin

Saturday Ride. Climping Beach Picnic Ride

We met at 1.00 at Bognor Library and despite threatening skies 8 turned up including myself with Dawn, Fred, Roy, Philippa, Jo, Val and Janet.

There was a brief light shower as we waited but the rest of the afternoon was dry despite dark clouds in places.

On the route out we avoided traffic taking the cyclepath under the Upper Bognor Road and then the playing fields cyclepath past a Cricket match to Felpham. Then it was estate backroads via Middleton, Ancton and Elmer. Then along the beach with some cycling and some walking to stop for our picnic at Climping.

We noticed that Val and Janet had gone missing as we walked along the beach. They eventually turned up and it turned out had been rescuing an injured seabird and arranging for it to be sent to a Bird Rescue organisation at Sidlesham.

The water looked a little grey cold and uninviting but Dawn, Philippa and Roy bravely took the plunge.

After the picnic we headed back on a similar route to stop for tea at the seafront Cafe by Felpham Yacht Club.

Edwin

Wednesday 3 August, Evening ride to Donnington, Chichester Start

Jeff Lander came into Chi for 6 pm with Louise a phyisio student staying with parents in Selsey for the summer. Arrived to be greeted by Mary and Phil only. A pity so few as it was such a perfect evening for a ride. We dropped in on City Cycles to show Louise where to get her bike serviced or better still where to buy a new road bike! We escaped the traffic on turning off the Goodwood road to Westerton and from there on it was how cycling should be , Up over Goodwood ridge and along the valley floor taking in East Dean Charlton singleton West Dean before taking the Centurion Way back to Chi . In line bladers passed with ease and over to Dell Quay for a look at the harbour before a fine pint at Blacksmiths Arms in Donnington (food too expensive)

Jeff