Sunday 14 May. Walberton Pond start for ride to The Hollist Arms, Lodsworth
I was the only one to join Colin for the ride to Lodsworth but we later met up with Tom at Amberley Station.

Weather was generally overcast with a few sunny spells in the afternoon and temperatures cooler than of late at about 16C.

From Amberley the 3 of us took lanes via Bury to stop for tea at Bignor Roman Palace. Then more lanes via Sutton, Burton Mill Pond and Selham to Lodsworth.

After lunch Tom decided to make his own way back. Colin and I returned at a brisk pace on scenic back roads via River and Petworth to stop for Tea at the Barn by the Willow tea rooms at Bury.

One very notable feature of the days ride was the lush display of Bluebells in the many woods we rode by, many more than in recent years.

Mileage from and back to Walberton was 43. My mileage from and back to Pagham was 62.

Edwin for Colin

Sunday 14 May. Tom and Colin on a lane near Sutton

Thursday 11 May 2006 - Evening ride to The George, Eartham
The evening gave us absolutely superb cycling weather - brilliant sunshine, warm, and no breeze, so it was disappointing to see only Val and myself at the start point for tonights ride. Granted the destination did promise a few hills!

We set off from Felpham via Yapton, Barnham, Eastergate Lane, and Level Mare Lane. Riding through Barnham we noticed some stationery traffic ahead which we found was caused by an absolutely enormous Turkey wandering down the middle of the road, having escaped from a nearby farm and now perhaps wishing he knew the way back. there was no real assistance we could offer, so we left him to his fate and hope he got home safely. The good news however, was that as we moved away from this commotion I noticed a coin in the road. Not being one to leave unattended litter, I doubled back to pick it up only to find that, rather than the ?2 piece I had been expecting, it was only 5 pence. Still, 5p is 5p...

On we went, crossing the A27 then taking the road past Mount Noddy for the easier climb to Eartham. Once at the pub we were joined by Edwin fresh from his 10 mile time trial.

For the return trip, the 3 of us dropped down the hill to East Hampnett, narrowly avoiding a bat which homed in on Val and Edwin (no doubt attracted by their high powered front lights). Then we followed the A29 all the way into Bognor. Some smart running ensued on the surprisingly quiet road. More wildlife appeared as we entered Bognor with wild rabbits dining on the grass verges towards Felpham.

We arrived back at Felpham only 45 minutes after leaving the pub, having completed a round trip of just over 21 miles.

Graham

Sunday 7 May. Neufchatel to Dieppe

Today's forecast was again rain all day but we were again lucky with no rain and sunny spells early on, more cloud midday and clear blue skies at the end of the day.

We said goodbye to Alan and Liz who had joined us for the Anniversary Dinner and were headed south by car to do some cycling in the Loire.

We headed down the Avenue Verde Cyclepath. We turned off this at Bures-en Bray and then a long climb to the ridge above the valley at 700ft on quiet backroads. There then followed a long search for a V1 site Arthur knew of with some riding over the ridge and partway down and then back up on a another road. There were a few complaints from the ranks about going round in circles.

Eventually we reached the V1 launch site with a lot of buildings preserved and a real V1 preserved in situe. Then down to the Varenne valley and lunch in Bellencombre. Then down the valley taking in some minor roads one of which petered out in a footpath and a rickety footbridge over the river.

We had one tea stop at Torcy and another at Peters house. Then on to Dieppe and supper by the Harbour before catching the 8.00 pm ferry back.

40 miles for the day.

Edwin

Exploring the V1 site in the hills near Ardouval.

Footbridge across the River Varenne south of Dieppe

Saturday 6 May. Dieppe to Neufchatel

Today the forecast was heavy rain for later in the day. However we were very lucky with a lot of cloud but only a few spots midday.

We left the Tourist Hotel and took a look round the big street market. Then on to a sports shop where Andrew bought a new badminton racket at a much cheaper price than back home. Due to lack of luggage space he carried this over his shoulder for the rest of the trip.

Then on south and a stop at the big bikeshop we visited yesterday. Lynn purchased a Gillet like the one I purchased yesterday. I purchased some mitts and a long sleeved top. Then outside we found the piece de la resistance, a real genuine Bicycle Wash!! See picture below.

Soon after the group split. Arthur led Lynn, Andrew and Mervyn down the Avenue Verde Cycleway. I led Mike, Avryl and Peter along a minor road alongside the Varenne river. We stopped for elevenses at Torcy. Then on to St. Saens for lunch.

In the afternoon we took a very minor road up a steep climb through the Foret de Bully to 700ft. Then a ride through the lush forest on a plateau before a long descent to Neufchatel.

We met up with the others and as the Hotel was closed until 5.00 we enjoyed a long tea stop with scrumptious cakes in a patisserie as an appetiser for the evenings Anniversary Dinner

33 miles for the day.

Edwin

Arthur demonstrates the Bike Shop Bike Wash

Mike, Avryl and Peter riding in the Foret de Bully

Dieppe, leaving the ferry

Friday 5 May. French Trip.
We met up at Newhaven for the 8.00 am sailing to Dieppe. Myself, Mike who gave me a lift over, Arthur, Lynn and Andrew, Mervyn Cook a friend of Arthur's and Peter Wilson.

Checkin was very slow and a long queue developed. We compared the widely different prices paid for the tickets from 13 pounds bought direct to 50 pounds through one agent.

The 4 hour crossing passed slowly but we eventually arrived at 1.30 French time. We then had a 10 mile bike ride during which we managed 3 stops.

The first cafe was found on the seafront after 2 miles where we had coffee and hot chocolate in the warm sunshine. Then Peter invited us to visit his French home on the southern edge of Dieppe. This has a great location with a quiet garden where Peter served a choice of wine or Apple juice. On the way back from Peters towards Dieppe we stopped to browse a very good bike shop.

Back in Dieppe centre our final cafe stop was adjoining the harbour with bowls of chips to keep us going until dinner.

Edwin

Dieppe. Seafront Caf? Stop

French Trip. Peters House

Wednesday 3 May. Evening Ride. Bognor start to the Maypole Yapton.

Weather this evening was warm and sunny. 4 of us met at the Fox, myself, Graham, Julian and Bruno.

Alan was due to lead this ride but he was away so after a very short discussion Graham was nominated on the basis that he was the only one to know the proposed route.

The ride was very interesting taking tracks and paths across the fields on the route of the proposed but unbuilt cycletrack from Felpham to Barnham.Apart from a few puddles the route was dry and hardpacked with most of it on farm tracks and easily rideable on my touring bike.

More interest was provided as we crossed the path of the mainly infilled Portsmouth Arundel Canal and viewed the remains of 2 swivel bridges and were treated to an onsite history lesson from Graham.

We continued via Lake Lane to the Maypole where we met up with the Chichester contingent comprising Arthur, Andrew, Phil and Mary and John.

We returned on the direct route via Yapton.

Edwin

Monday 1 May. Isle of Wight Weekend
Overnight there was a spell of heavy rain which gradually cleared by breakfast. The rest of the day was bright and sunny.

We headed back home from our base at the Hillside Hotel, Ventnor taking lanes fairly directly north to stop for elevenses at the Amazon World Garden Centre Cafe near Newchurch.

We took more lanes to a steep climb to the top of Arreton Down the East West Ridge going along the centre of the Island with some great views. Then a good long descent to the North Coast and a stop for lunch at Wootton Common.

We caught the 1.00 pm ferry to Portsmouth and had some great views of the Spinnaker Tower in the sunshine as we came in to dock. Then on the cycle route out of the City to Cosham and across to Havant and then Emsworth for tea. For the second time in 2 weeks some of the faster members engaged in a sprint for the Tea Rooms with aim of getting an order in first for the last few slices of Caramelized Apple Pie with Ice Cream!!(I clocked 28.1 mph at one stage!)

I gained another puncture on the ride into Chichester soon sorted with assistance from Phil and Sam making a total of 2 punctures in the weekend for the group, both mine!

Edwin