The Findon Gentlemen's Cycling Club

Findon Gentlemen’s Cycling Club rides in December 2024

Saturday 7th December 08.00am ride

Four gathered at OPG, sheltered from the worst of the wind by Findon’s location in a natural hollow.  Strong winds from the west, which had just blown MA (blue) over from Angmering, were noted and a westerly outward leg was mooted, to be blown back along the coast.  The rain held off as the peleton of three (PT, MA and CB, in red) headed up Church Hill and down Cote Street, while ZA (green) on road bike (his spanking new e-bike not being online yet)  headed down the valley.

The pelethree then passed Tesco Durrington, climbed Highdown against the wind, and enjoyed the westerley blast at the summit.  After a wind-assisted lie-down by CB, down Hangleton Lane and on to rv with ZA at the Ferring Country Park for a modest brek.  Departing FCP in the rain, MA returned home from Ferring, while the pelethree took to the coast to be blown east, turning north up Grand Avenue for a road route home.  ZA made a brief detour in Tarring to visit a fete, but the weather had already caused its cancellation.  About 15 miles and 750 feet climbed.

STOP PRESS!!

MrRoche reports:

“Basically those darn flies meant my ride started too late and, if I’m honest, the realisation (sponsored by a view expressed by the club nurse), that a 70 year old on an analogue bike should know better.
So 7.10 miles as far as (the Gurka at) Thomas-a-Beckett and back, with practically zero elevation, probably doesn’t count for the bling, which I have long since given up all hope of winning. Especially so as MUA duties are likely to be the cause of my absence Tuesday and Saturday next week – but of course do not dampen my enthusiasm for the ’cause’ that is the FGCC.”

Saturday 14th December 08.00am ride

PT, CB, MA, ZA & RT with TB joining at the brek. 4 e-bikes and 2 analogues.

A delayed start while we all admired ZA’s newly acquired ebike, a Trek Powerfly 4, clean and shiny apart from a few specs obtained during his 36 mile ride home from the sales outlet.  With suitably damp conditions available for the bike’s inauguration, a ride to Arundel was decided upon for the morning.

Up to Muntham and on towards the High Barn and SDW we experienced a brief moment of rare sunshine after the weeks of dank weather.  Onwards along SDW and then to Pepperings Farm, Burpham and Warningcamp at which point ZA peeled off for a return home via the Monarch’s Way.

A later message from ZA informed us that his route was somewhat boggy thus putting the new bike through its paces:

The main peloton continued on to the Moathouse for a brek.  Arriving 7 minutes before the target time that had been advised to TB, the staff were informed that if he hadn’t arrived by that time we would order.  A military man, TB was of course spot on time.

Return brek via Lyminster, LA, seafront, Ferring Gap, Northbrook, Durrington and the gallops, with MA peeling off to Angmering along the way.  Spotted a cyclist in full Santa outfit hurtling down Bost Hill.

In full colour, the routes were as follows, with  ZA in yellow, Chris Tommy Paul and Richard in red, and Mark A in blue:

Peloton total 27.6 miles and 1,285ft

MA total 27,9 miles and 1,625ft

Saturday 21st December 08.00am ride

Four convened (MA having ridden over) at a chilly and drizzly OPG, PT MA and RT on ebikes and CB on analogue.  The pelefour decided on a short 4 Peaks ride, with brek at the Harden (sic) Centre in Findon:

(MA in blue, pelefour in red, ZA in green)

The route went over Cissbury and straight on to the crossroads by Lychpole Farm (the top of that short and really steep bit), where we turned north for the Langmead memorial.  Then followed a mile or so into the gusty wind to Chanctonbury.  Taking the recently-gentrified track down to the A24, we were astonished to cross without delay.  On the ascent up Highden Hill from the A24, the path was blocked by two fallen trees, which even Kim would not have jumped!

We clambered over and proceeded up to the barn, cutting off the corner a bit to save riding into the wind.  Down to the Puckamuck HQ, then Collarbone Alley to Tolmare and over Long furlong to climb Church Hill-ich.  CB demonstrated the superiority of real legs over electric motors on the ascent, by leaving us all behind!  However, the inherent stability of the heavy ebike asserted itself on the plummet down Church Hill-ich, as the three electric riders all arrived at the bottom pristinely clean but CB finally appeared with a liberal covering of Sussex countryside, from a little lie-down during the descent.

The pelefour was joined at brek by an ambulant JR and a peleone of AM, his route remaining as yet a mystery.

ZA sallied forth later, to distribute seasonal cheer across the Adur.  Of his exploits, he writes;

“My route took me via Lidl & Waitrose, Worthing, from where I conveyed what I had procured by way of Christmas goodies for my remaining siblings to Shoreham. There I met my brother, Daniel with whom I partook of mid-morning refreshment at Teddy’s, in order to exchange gifts. My detour via Mill Lane and The Avenue, Shoreham before heading back to Findon (largely into those gusty winds) was to deliver Christmas cards to a cousin (Mill Lane) and his late brother’s (obviously also my cousin) wife and family (The Avenue).”

Saturday 28th December 08.00am ride

MA and PT met in the fog at OPG for the last Saturday ride of 2024, MA already generously coated in mud from Holt Lane, accumulated during his ride over.  We were joined briefly by ZA, astride a road bike and informally shod in rocs, who informed us that he would be riding out later due to family commitments.  He also mentioned that it was the birthday of the lady from the Moat House, so it was resolved that Arundel would be today’s destination.  ZA departed for Home, and PT and MA set off for Muntham and beyond.

MA (23.36 miles 1700 feet) in blue, ZA (14.6 miles, 323 feet) in green, PT (24.16 miles 1576 feet) in red.

The route took us to the Gun Club, along the SDW to Springhead Hill (the fallen tree has been removed), then down to Pepperings Farm, Burpham and Arundel without incident.  The fog  reduced visibility to about 50 yards along the top section.

Arriving at the Moat House, the birthday girl was, perhaps predictably, having the day off, so we were unable to convey ZA’s birthday greeting.  Her colleagues provided a brek of the usual high standard, after which the peletwo set off home via Warningcamp, Wepham Wood, the Dover, A27 cycleway and into Angmering.  Stiff upper lips prevented any unseemly blubbing as MA and PT parted in Angmering, MA peeling off for home while PT soldiered on to Spotted Cow bridge (over the A280) and up over Highdown.  The well beaten path past Tesco to Mill lane and the Gallops brought PT safely to Findon without incident.

ZA managed to start his ride just before the 13.00 cut off point (Strava shows a 12:58 start time). He writes:
“having driven with Margaret to family gathering at No.2 Son’s, Columbine Way, Littlehampton, rode to Worthing astride KONA stopping nr Asda on A259 cyclepath to greet Monsieur Mead, riding West towards Littlehampton: continued through Ferring to St Mary’s, Goring via Ilex Way (to aid prep’n for Sunday duties);
thence to Worthing seafront and a brief saunter around shops with post Christmas sales. Thence back to Findon”

Reports have not as yet flooded in to detail Mr Mead’s exploits a velo, but the editorial team stands ready to add further intelligence as it is received.

Our European outpost in Denmark was the focus of a daring ride by KBS, resulting in much facial mud splattering:

The Danish wing have their own sartorial style

but the chap next to Kim looks a bit too stylish for the FGCC!

Their route was 24 miles and 912 feet:

A fine effort for the end of the year.