Sunday 26 Feb 2006: Stansted Garden Centre Cafe, Stansted.
The weather was mercifully dry after the last two Sunday washouts, but there was a bitter wind. Since the lunch stop was so close to home I set off at 11am and went straight there. I travelled as far as Havant on the A27, turning left in Warblington and then travelling through Southleigh Forest on minor roads, arriving at Stansted House just after 12pm.

Luckily I managed to bag an inside table and a section of the Sunday Times in the perpetually crowded cafe, as it was far too cold to eat outside. After the usual pot of tea and piece of cake I departed at around 1pm, arriving home about an hour later.

My mileage at the end of the day was 38km.

Adrian

Sunday 19 Feb 2006: Garden Centre Cafe, West Dean
Yet another wet day (I can see why Edwin winters abroad now!). My route was the usual Portsmouth - Havant - Emsworth - Chichester along the A259. Upon reaching Chichester I made a left turn up the Centurian Way cycle route, and followed it as far as Binderton on the A286. The cycle path was very muddy at its northern end, where its surface was compacted earth, as opposed to the tarmac of the rest of the way. Once I left the cycle way I cycled the rest of the way towards West Dean on the A286.

Upon arriving at the Cafe I met up with a similiarly damp Keith from Worthing Excelsior group. We both had a pot of tea and a bowl of soup in an attempt to warm up. I admired the interior of the cafe, which had been renovated to an extremely high standard in and Arts & Crafts style. After a look around the shop we departed into still heavy rain, but at least it was
all downhill back to Chichester & Portsmouth.

My mileage at the end of the day was 71km.

Adrian

Sunday 12 Feb 2006: Russell's Garden Centre Cafe, Birdham
The weather was appalling today, with low clouds and heavy rain the entire day. I set off from home at 11am, and passed quickly through Havant & Emsworth, then bombed along the A259, turning right through Apuldram just before reaching Chichester. Upon joining the A286 it was a straightforward run towards Birdham, and then a welcome arrival at the Garden Centre Cafe at around 12.30pm.

A large pot of tea and piece of cake were ordered, and then taken whilst sitting on a leather sofa in front of the fire, as I attempted to dry out. After a read of the Sunday papers, which were usefully provided by the cafe, there was no putting off departure any longer, so it was head down into the still pouring rain and head for home asap.

My mileage at the end of the day was 68km.

Adrian

Sunday 5th February 2006: Greenhouse Cafe, Emsworth.
There was a good turnout for this from the Chichester Cross, with about 10 people in attendance. I set off straight from home just after 11am, and travelled to Emsworth via Havant on the A27/A259. I arrived slightly early, just before 12pm, so waited on one of the benches in the square opposite the cafe.

Once everyone arrived we trooped into the cafe, some off us opting to sit at tables outside since the weather was so mild, others at the steamy inside tables. After we had finished our lunches we set off for home, myself west to Portsmouth, the others east towards Chichester & Bognor.

My mileage at the end of the day was 30km.

Adrian

Lanzarote, Saturday 4 March and Sunday 5 March

Saturday 4 March, Beach ride

Weather today was clear and sunny with light winds. Temperatures reached 21C.

I decided on a ride to a beach but riding up a few mountains in-between. I had heard there was a very good beach on the far south coast of the Island near Playa Blanca known as Playa de Papagayo. I cycled there on the back road to Puerto Calero and then up to the main road. Just before Uga I turned off on the back road to Femes gradually climbing to 1200ft. Then a sharp descent. Just before Playa Blanca I turned off on an unmade road. This was rough but just about rideable on a road bike and went on for 3 1/2 miles.

The beach was as advertised, a beautiful cove enclosed by cliffs. I had lunch at a cafe on a terrace on the cliffs above the beach. After a couple of hours sunbathing on the beach I headed back on the same route. After the steep climb back up to Femes I stopped for an Orange Juice in a restaurant at the top.

36 miles for the day and 2800ft of climbing.

Edwin

Sunday 5 March. Last Lanzarote ride.

Weather today was mixed with a lot of cloud but some good sunny intervals. There was a strong northerly wind and temperatures reached 19C.

Today will my last ride of the trip. Tomorrow I start packing. Tuesday after checking out will be a lot of hanging around before my early evening flight back (arriving past midnight Wednesday morning)

I decided on a ride north to take in the big Haria Pass one more time. As I rode across to Teguise one thing I noticed was more and more spring flowers in the fields (yes there is grass on Lanzarote, it is not all volcanic rock)

After Teguise at 1000ft I climbed up through Los Valles with a few hairpins and then a gradual climb to the top at 2000ft. Then down the multiple hairpins and loosing 1000ft. Just before Haria I turned off on the Tabayesco road. This is a narrow byroad which winds its way down a valley to the coast road near Arrieta.

I then headed south with a welcome tailwind on the main road before turning off for Costa Teguise where I stopped for lunch at a restaurant on the prom. Then the cyclepath on the prom and through Arrecife which had very little traffic on a Sunday and the Prom/cyclepath back to base.

56 miles for the day and 3100ft of climbing.

Edwin

Lanzarote, Saturday 4 March, Papagayo Cove

Lanzarote, Saturday 4 March, Road to Femes

Lanzarote, Sunday 5 March, Spring flowers at the top of Tabayesco Valley

Lanzarote, Sunday 5 March, Matagorda Beach near Puerto del Carmen

Sunday 5 March
Socialising at the Rising Sun

Liz leads up the hill into West Burton



Two started from Chichester Cross on a cold but occasionally sunny morning, Phil and Mary on their tandem. We climbed Pillygreen Hill and passed through East Dean and Upwaltham to descend Duncton Hill, turning right along the road to Sutton, then Bignor. In West Burton we went left to pick up the Fittleworth road, eventually turning back to the right to cross the A29 then Greatham Bridge eventually arriving at the RSPB Visitor Centre at Wiggonholt.

The Walberton Pond Group had just arrived at Wiggenholt, Harvie, Alan and Liz, and big Steve. We refuelled then Harvie led us on to the Rising Sun at Nutbourne.

A large Arun-Adur group, about a dozen riders, were already at the pub and we spent a pleasant lunchtime socialising. Colin also arrived and joined us for the ride back.

We returned along Phil & Mary's outward route to West Burton and then headed to the tearooms at Bury where a large pot of tea was provided for the group. We then crossed to the Houghton Bridge road and climbed Houghton Hill, descending and ascending back to the Spur where we split up. Phil & Mary headed back via Eastergate and the rest headed for the coast.

Phil

Lanzarote, Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd March

Thursday 2nd March, off the beaten track.

Weather today was bright and sunny with a northerly wind and temperatures getting to 20C.

During the day despite being here for over 7 weeks now I was able to find 2 quiet backroads I had not tried before. The ride was over to the NW coast near La Santa.

I rode up to the central plateau on backroads to Tias and then Conil. Just before Conil I turned off on the first untried route over to La Asomada. The route wound its way parallel to the coast 900ft below. Just before La Asomada there was a short steep climb at about 17%.

I continued north to cross the lava plain and then start down the other side via Tinajo. I then turned off on the second untried route via El Chuchillo and then on a cross country route seriously off the beaten track. This ran parallel to the coast and about 300ft above La Santa. The road was tarmac but broken up in places. Traffic was an average of a car in 15 minutes.

I returned via Soo and Tiagua with a welcome tail wind for the climb. Then on to San Bartolome and down to Playa Honda for a late lunch at a restaurant on the prom.

41 miles for the day with 2300ft of climbing.

Edwin


Friday 3rd March

Weather today was cloudy in the morning clearing later in the afternoon. Winds were light northerly and temperatures reached 19C.

I rode a short circuit first taking a backroad up to Tias at 700ft and then another backroad to Masdache on the central plateau climbing another 400ft to 1100ft. Then across the volcanic plateau to La Vegueta. Then SE via Mancha Blanca to Timanfaya National park and a bit more climbing past the Volcanoes. Then a long descent across more lava fields to Yaiza and then back down to the coast and base.

32 miles for the day and 1800ft of climbing.

Edwin

Lanzarote, Thursday 2 March, backroad near La Santa

Lanzarote, Thursday 2 March. Lunch stop at Playa Honda

Lanzarote, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February.

Saturday 25 February, Orzola Ride.

More cloud than of late today but with some good sunny spells. A strong wind from the SW kept temperatures high at 21C.

I decided on a long hard ride to the north. I headed out via Tias, San Bartolome and Teguise with a stop for a break in the square. Then up the big Haria Pass climb to 2000ft and down the hairpins to Haria at 1000ft. Then further north on a loop via the village of Ye. I started down the descent towards Arietta but then turned off on a narrow backroad for Orzola on the coast in the far north of the Island. This was the first time on this road for this trip. The road wound its way down towards the coast across jumbled rocks of an old lava field partly broken up by struggling vegetation. High above the road was the broken rim of the volcano which created the landscape.

At Orzola I bought food at a Supermarket and had a picnic lunch at the port. Then back on the coast road via Tahiche with a hard ride into the wind all the way.

66 miles for the day and 4800ft of climbing. For the week ending today 236 miles.

Edwin


Sunday 26 February

Bright and sunny all day today with scattered white cloud. A brisk westerly wind and temperatures up to 23C.

I decided on an easier ride today with a visit to the Costa Teguise beach but with a few mountains thrown in. I first climbed up to Tias on the main road, and then a backroad up to 1100ft to the plateau main road at Masdache. Then north towards Teguise but turning off on a backroad to Nazaret and then down the main road a short way to Tahiche. There I turned off on the old coast road and turning off that after a few miles to descend on the back road to Costa Teguise.

I made my way down to Playa Cucharadas the main beach for the northern part of Costa Teguise. I had a leisurely lunch at a restaurant fronting onto the prom and then a couple of hours sunbathing on the sandy beach.

I rode back on the prom/cyclepath and then into Arrecife. Sunday afternoon is an ideal time to ride through the capital with hardly any cars around. Then the prom/cyclepath back via Playa Honda.

39 miles for the day with 1500ft of climbing.

Lanzarote, Saturday 25 February. Volcanic landscape leading to Orzola