WSCC Joint Rides programme -Bognor Library to Aldingbourne Country Centre
Although this ride clashed with England's first World Cup match of the 2006 competition (v Paraguay), glorious sunny weather and perfect riding conditions helped ensure that no less than 9 riders set off from Bognor library. Six came as a result of the entry in the Rides and Walks publication, from as far afield as Rudgwick, Worthing, and Boxgrove.

We set off via the back streets of Bognor, over the railway and through the industrial estate, to reach the quieter lanes of Shripney. A short bridleway cut the corner off to reach the A29, then Hook Lane, Aldingbourne Church, and Crockerhill were all passed to reach our destination.

After a suitable refreshment break the return route took us via Level Mare Lane, Northfields Lane (which was as potholed as ever, but quite rideable), Eastergate Lane and Barnham station, where Alan and Liz departed for shopping and our Worthing rider left for the train home.

The rest of us continued to Yapton via a short stretch of the old Portsmouth-Arundel canal towpath to Tack Lee bridge, where our friends from Rudgwick took some photos.


Tack Lee bridge, Yapton










From there it was an easy run to Bilsham, Middleton, Felpham, and then via the seafront to central Bognor Regis and the library.
Mileage from the start point to finish was 19.5.


Graham

Evening Ride - The Newburgh Arms Slindon (Felpham start)
Despite a beautiful evening with no wind, resulting in excellent cycling conditions, no-one (save the leader) turned up at the Felpham start point.

The ride was therefore cancelled.

Graham

4 June 2006 Awayday Ride starting at Petersfield
After a cold and wet May our first June ride was late Spring at its very best - clear blue skies and warm sunshine all day. The countryside was all very lush and green. We met very little traffic along the maze of narrow lanes.

Avryl (leader),Alan, Liz, Jan, Christine, Harvey, Bruce, Adrian, Joined by Phil,(leader) Mary, Chris, Gill and Clive, who started the ride from Chichester and joined us at the station car park.

It was a circular route from Petersfield, going west towards Ramsdean, turning south to go up Hyden Hill where we had a welcome stop at the Sustainability Centre.

We had lovely views going along the ridge at Teg Down and then south west to Westend Down. Most of the ride was then downhill heading due south until we reached The Horse and Groom at Ripley where we stopped for lunch.

In the afternoon we headed east going through Denmead, to Denmead Mill, Hinton Daubney,Hinton Manor to Clanfield We then had a long slow uphill climb to Butser Hill where we walked to the top to enjoy the views. Our reward for the climb was a whizz down Harvester Lane to the tea stop at a barn where some of us sampled their delicious cream teas.

We returned to Petersfield where the six riders from the Chichester start continued on their way

We clocked up 33mls. and all felt a little more weary than the mileage depicts!

Avryl

Wednesday 31 May 2006: Evening Ride to the Spotted Cow Hunston
Another fine summers evening as 3 of us (John, Karen, and myself)set off from The Fox at Felpham, continuing the summer evening rides programme.

We headed off into the surprisingly quiet centre of Bognor Regis, then west along the promenade to Aldwick and Craigweil where we took Stoney Stile Lane to Rose Green, then Nyetimber, Summer Lane and across rough tracks to the Pagham Rife Bridge and Bowley Farm. The ground was hard packed and the riding quite smooth, although our progress was hampered by the presence of 1 billion (approximately) midgies; the air was literally thick with them.

Having survived the worst of the insects, we continued across farm tracks through Fisher until we arrived back on tarmac at Hunston Church. From there it was a short run to the pub, having ridden for exactly one hour. We found the group which started from Chichester had already made themselves comfortable in the garden.

The return route stuck solely to the tarmac via North Mundham and Runcton. On arrival back at Felpham I had covered just over 16 miles.

Graham

Sunday 28th May Pulbrough Leader:Harvey, from Walberton
A fine sunny day with NO RAIN and warm. Perhaps summer is going to come after all. Just three of us,Harvey Steve and I, set off from Walberton and after a few minutes a group of cyclists headed towards us - Arun and Adur, going in the opposite direction.

We made our way to the lunch stop via The Spur, Madehurst Amberley and Wiggonholt where we were joined by Tom and Colin for elevenses. At The Oddfellows Arms Mike Alan Liz and Eric appeared and a group of riders from the Horsham Section were well installed inside.

On our return just the three starters kept together, the others making their various ways back. We came on a very pleasant and quiet route through Greatham West Burton Bignor and Bury to Whiteways and back to Walberton.

32 mls

Avryl (on behalf of Harvey)

Sunday 21 May
Today the weather was rain all day until mid afternoon as forcast.

I was due to lead the ride to Stedham so I headed up to the Cross to see if anybody turned up. Sensibly nobody did so after waiting 5 minutes I headed back taking a different route on backroads via Colworth.

17 miles for the day.

Edwin

14 May 2006. Chichester Cross start for ride to The Putting Green Cafe, Arundel.
Harvey, Avril, Jo, Tony and myself met at Chichester Cross on a cool & overcast day. We set off east through Westhampnett, Halnaker, Eartham & Slindon, and then climbed up Whiteways hill via Madehurst.

We stopped at the refreshment hut there for elevenses. As always the car park there was teeming with motorcycles of every description. After a while we made a fast and rather chilly descent into Arundel, arriving at the Putting Green Cafe a mere 20 minutes after setting out from Whiteways.

We met up with Mike & Richard inside the cafe (it was a bit too chilly to sit outside) who had cycled straight there from their respective homes. After a pleasant hour or so we departed, travelling along back roads through Binsted & Walberton to Aldingbourne, where the rest of the group had afternoon tea. However I travelled straight home at this point.

My mileage at the end of the day was 103km.

Adrian

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