Sunday 27th November Chichester to Wyevale Garden Centre, Pulborough
A 9.30 start from Chi Cross means the stand -in leader should leave Selsey by 8.45 and as usual he leaves at 9.00, so a fast ride needed to meet up with 4 members(Gillian,Richard ,Chris and Mike) on an overcast day.

The pace slowed considerably (but well done Mike for coming out on a ride over the downs). Jeff used a cycle route through the city that avoids the main roads out to Westhampnett. Quiet lanes to Goodwood ridge and then the inevitable bit of A road before turning off at the bottom of Duncton hill to enjoy the quiet lanes and glimpses of winter sun to Coates and Fittleworth.

Early lunch stop at Wyevale Garden Centre while we waited for others to drift in from Walberton and Littlehampton. Altogether we were at least a dozen.

A return route via Pulborough town and Greatham bridge, Amberley and Whiteways kiosk for tea and a wad (Scottish expression) Westergate and Oving provided a different route back Worth getting out of bed for!.

Jeff

Sunday 20 November, stop at West Ashling Pond

Sunday 20 November, elevenses at Compton

Sunday 13 November. Walberton Pond Start, ride to the Royal Oak, Midhurst.
Colin led the Ride from the Pond and was joined by Phil and Mary, Edwin, Harvey, Gill and Sam.

Weather was bright at first but clouding over and quite cold getting to about 10C with a strong NE wind.

Lanes were taken via Fontwell and Eartham and then up to the Downs and a ride along the ridge to Pillygreen. The ride then continued to East Dean and Singleton and a stop for elevenses and a warm up at the Moonlight Cafe, Cocking.

The enormous slices of Cake supplied by the Cafe were consumed with relish. After half an hour the Chichester start riders arrived being Arthur, Eric, Mike Dunn, Richard, Avryl and Jan.

From Cocking the Chichester group went direct while the Walberton group took a longer loop via Stedham. At the Pub we were joined by Chris who came direct making a total of 14 out on the day. We also met some Arun Adur riders being Brian, Sue, Graham and John Maxim.

Some of the Chichester group headed back direct while Chris, Richard and John joined Colin’s group to head back on lanes via Heyshott and a stop for tea at West Dean Gardens Cafe.

Mileage from and to the Pond was about 50. From and to Pagham was 58.

Edwin for Colin

Elevenses at the Moonlight Cafe, Cocking

Cycling home down the Centurion Way

Sunday 6 November, Ride to DA AGM at Wiggonholt from Walberton Pond
Although fairly dry first thing the weather was generally as forecast with rain all day plus high winds.

There was not really a lot of ride to lead as only Phil turned up. We took the usual route via Madehurst and Houghton. We caught up with John Maxim in Amberley and rode on to Wiggonholt. Colin came by Bike direct and other Section members attended with car assistance (possibly the more sensible members)

Free tea, coffee and biscuits were paid for by the DA for members attending. Tony Green from Brighton Section Chaired the meeting in his capacity as local CTC Councillor. Members were able to raise a number of issues and concerns for him to raise with HQ.

I stopped off at the Black Horse, Amberley on the way back joining some Arun Adur members.

The ride back was particularly wet being into the wind and in general I would say one of the worst days of the year to be out on the Bike!!

Edwin

Sunday 30 October. Chichester Cross to Section AGM at West Stoke
Freda led the Ride on behalf of Kath who was unable to make it. 8 met at the Cross being Feda, Jim, Edwin, Richard, Phil, Gill, Avryl and newcomer Jonathon from Petworth. Tom and Eric joined the group at Chichester Station.

Despite promises of heavy rain for all of the all day the weather was quite good with a lot of cloud in the morning, a very heavy shower for 20 minutes at lunchtime and warm sunshine in the afternoon. The unseasonal warmth of the last few days continued with temperatures up to 18C.

A direct route was taken up Centurion Way and then lanes across to West Stoke Village Hall for the AGM. We met more members waiting at the Hall and more arrived from various directions for a total turnout of 22.

The formal business was conducted quite quickly chaired by Phil. All the existing Officers and Committee were re-elected unopposed. The meeting discussed the new CTC proposals for local groups and decided in principal to agree these.

There was a good discussion on organizing rides and the pace of rides and types of rides and events. The meeting closed at 12.20 and we turned to the important business of a sandwich lunch in the Hall. With the weather threatening nobody decided to go on to the Pub. As we were getting ready to leave at 1.20 the heavens opened with a torrential downpour for 20 minutes.

We left as the weather cleared with everybody making their own way back in small groups.

Edwin for Freda

Sunday 23 October, Ride to the Bluebell, Cocking.
For today's ride we met at Chichester Cross. I led the ride on behalf of Arthur who couldn't make it. 7 of us met at the Cross, myself, Phil, Sam, Harvey, Gill and Jeff and Beatrice on their Tandem. Adrian joined us at elevenses and Alan and Eric at lunch making a total of 10 out.

Weather was fair with cloud and the sun occasionally getting through but with light winds and temperatures reaching 16C.

We rode out via Funtington to stop for elevenses at Compton Stores. We continued to the top of Harting Hill and then a fast swoop down to Harting Village. We then turned east to Elsted and the lanes at the base of the Downs via Didling to Cocking.

The return was up the main road via Singleton and then lanes to Upwaltham and on via Eartham to stop for tea at Aldingbourne. Our arrival was well timed as they had insufficient customers for lunch to eat up their large Sunday roast so rather than throw it out they brought to our table 2 great bowls of roast potatoes and lamb gratis. We tucked in with relish but even hungry cyclists could not polish it all off.

Edwin

Sunday 23 October, Elevenses at Compton

Sunday 16 October
Eight members met at Chichester Cross on a bright Sunday morning – Colin, Chris, Jim, Freda, Yvonne, Bernie, Mary and Phil. We headed west, crossing the railway, turning right before the A27 to cross back over the railway, and following the south coast cycleway route towards Emsworth and Havant where Adrian had arranged to meet us. We added another member, Jill, who caught up with the group before we reached Havant and met Adrian outside McDonalds.

We decided to press on, so we crossed the railway at Bedhampton (after waiting for a considerable time as the crossing gates were closed), and began the ascent of Portsdown Hill. The group fractured on the climb but coalesced again at the viewpoint where we took coffee along with a large
group of leather-clad bikers.



We pressed on along the ridge then parted company with Jim and Freda as we turned left to descend down into Porchester. We continued to the castle and everybody decided to eat sandwiches or other provisions on some benches inside the castle in the lee of the seaward walls. For future reference the
nearest pub, the Cormorant, had a sign outside saying ‘table reservations only’. The next pub along (the White Hart?) looked a better bet for lunch.



The wind had not been noticeable as we cycled east, but was now strengthening from the east as we started back. We took the lower road for our return trip to Emsworth via back streets and over Bedhampton crossing (again closed for multiple trains). The usual cafe was closed for the weekend so we went down to the waterfront where a large crane was lifting boats into dry-dock for the winter. The cafe was full so we returned to Heidi’s where Phil and Mary had tea but the others decided to press on as the sky was now overcast and there was now a distinct threat of the promised rain in the air.



Phil Turner

16/10/2005

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

SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER 2005 - Ride to Aldingbourne Country Centre
Despite the absence of quite a few members on overseas touring, the club's UK operations continue and in conjunction with WSCC a short easy paced ride was arranged for today, commencing from Bognor Library.

The weather was better than might be hoped for in October, with brilliant sunshine, an almost cloudless sky, and temperatures hitting 20 degrees. Even so, only 3 set out for Aldingbourne - myself, Ann, and Julian.

Our route took us to Felpham village, Middleton, and Yapton, where we followed the towpath of the old canal from Tack Lee Bridge to Ham Lane, before hitting the tarmac again to Barnham. From there, we diverted across the trackway (known locally as Pit Cut) to Eastergate Lane, then into Level Mare Lane before risking life and limb to cross an extremely busy A27 to reach the peace and quiet of the country centre.

After exchanging holiday tales over several cups of tea, we returned to Bognor via Crockerhill, Aldingbourne Church, Hook Lane, Woodgate, Shripney Lane, and Bersted. All in all a pleasant afternoon's ride, distance covered being a modest 18.25 miles.


Graham

Sunday 2 October, Tiffens Petworth, Chichester Cross Start
7 met at the Cross, the Leader Edwin together with Jeff and Beatrice, Mike Dunn, Richard, Vanessa and newcomer Gary Welham. Adrian later joined us at Cocking. Weather was sunny, temperatures about 17c with a blowy NW wind.

The riders took a flat route up Centurion Way. We were delayed at the top end. The latch on a gate into a field had come loose and a lot of cattle had stayed onto the path. As we approached they bolted up towards the road and then along the cyclepath adjoining the road causing a little traffic chaos.We continued on our way to Cocking meeting up with Ernie and Nicola at the Moonlight Cafe.

Our route then took lanes via Heyshott and on to Tiffins for lunch a little late at 1.15. We met the Walberton Pond group and Richard returned with them via Cocking and Adrian made his own way back direct to Portsmouth. Vanessa and Gary also decided to make their own way back as Vanessa was struggling with the hills.

Edwin, Mike, Jeff and Beatrice returned on lanes to Bury stopping for Tea at the Barn by the Willow Cafe meeting up with Dave Fox, Dave Galle, John Wickens and Richard Boulton from Arun Adur.

Edwin

Heading up the Centurion Way