The Findon Gentlemen's Cycling Club

Findon Gentlemen’s Cycling Club rides in February 2025

Saturday 1st February 08.00am training ride

ZA, MA, RT and PT initially.

A visit to RSPB Pulborough was proposed, prompting RT to switch to digital as he would have been analogue-alone on a long ride.

Having only got as far as the crem PT had to return home due to a digital failure leaving just a pelothree. Up to the high barn and onto the SDW to the top of the Kithurst Hill at the earthworks.

At this point MA announced that his battery was already down to less than 50% charge and he was suffering “range anxiety”, so a change of route was discussed. Best option in the circumstances was Arundel for a brek going via Amberley and the bridlepath up to Whiteways.

A well attended Moathouse meant that we had to squeeze onto a table by the door, though we were given prompt attention no doubt due to the presence of our Team Chaplain – we learnt that whenever gentlemen of the FGCC arrive in this fine establishment  word goes out and to his lady friend that “your men are here”.

Route home via Dover lane and Highdown after parting company with MA at Angmering. Both being on e-bikes we went straight up to the top of the hill thus being able to avoid the ruts. Onwards past Tesco and then up Salvington Hill road, giving an opportunity for both to enjoy a blast to the top on turbo setting.

Back to Nepcroft for bike washing.

Total 26.5 miles and 2175 ft

Meanwhile in viking-land the Dane was out and about, at one point going round in circles round Store Fredskov. Did he get lost? Surely not.

21 miles and 739ft

Saturday 8th February 08.00 am T&B to Mead Towers

AM, PT, CB, JR, ZA, RT with MA appearing for a short time at OPG. AM and ZA on road bikes.

A three and a half peaks ride in order to arrive at the appointed time at Mead Towers.

Nepcote Lane to Cissbury and then a struggle along the rut-lakes to the top of Stable Lane after which the going was better. All the way to Chanctonbury to admire the view (!) in very low visibility fog, which provided a silent eerie atmosphere. Down to Washington car park on the greatly improved track and across the A24. Up to the high barn on Sullington Hill, then south to the Long Furlong and down to Mead Towers.

In perfect timing the peloton arrived at the same time as AM.

Mrs Mead managed to silence the assembled company of the FGCC by serving a splendid feast of a breakfast, clearly much appreciated by all.

Total 10 miles and 1,018ft.

AM had ridden down to the coast then east along the seafront to Lancing, turning round to head to Grand Avenue and back up to Findon.

Meanwhile ZA had ridden to St Mary’s in Goring for a service there and back to the brek.

Saturday 15th February 08.00am training ride

At the usual hour, ZA and PT (on Philip’s ebike) convened with RT and CB (on analogue) and MA at OPG.  The route discussion turned to the bird sanctuary at Wiggonholt, but MA was under authority so had to return chez lui (red route).  The peleton (in blue) set off up through the crem to the SDW.

In deference to CB’s healing hand, the slippery and steep descent from the SDW was avoided by going down the road from Springhead car park, then along B2139 to turn north at Rackham and follow the road north to Wiggonholt common.  Finding the cafe closed (open at 10:00), we briefly considered the footpath route to Wiggonholt church, but found it underwater so took the main road to Pulborough bridge for an excellent brek at the bistro by the old bridge and slipway.

A looping return route took us to Pickhurst then north of Codmore Hill and along Stane Street to North Heath.  Gay Street Lane took us south to West Chiltington, then on a footpath or two to Strawberry Lane and the A283, meeting some Alpacas on the way.

A283 to Washington, then up past the pub an round the back of Chalk to enter Findon along the A24.

Saturday 22nd February 08.00am training ride

MA (blue) e-rode over to Findon to form the main peleton with PT (red, ebike), RT and MB (orange, analogue), while  ZA on his road bike (green, very much analogue) formed a tarmac splinter group.  The pelefour headed up through Muntham to the barn, and followed the slippery-in-places SDW to Springhead Hill (Matthew doing some spectacular sideways riding), where we dropped down through Peppering Farm to Burpham and Warningcamp and a warm welcome at the Moat House.  ZA had arrived by road via Washington, Storrington, Amberley and Whiteways, and had already secured our usual table (not too near the band).  A fine brek was taken by MA and PT.

RT and MB eschewed the full brek in favour of tea and sugary shortbread, as they were under time pressure.  Gentlemen were hard pushed to conceal their jealousy at not being able to accompany Matthew and daughters to the afternoon roller disco.  MB and RT departed to pursue a fast road route home alongside the A27, through Angmering, down to Ferring and along the A259 to take the superhighway up the valley.

ZA, fortified by a nutritionally intermediate (not a brek per se, but more than tea and a bun) baguette of finest sausage and (sadly not magic) mushroom, returned to Findon by following MA”s outward route along the A27, over Salvington, and down Bost Hill  to join the superhighway.

MA and PT climbed up to Warningcamp, came down Dover lane and followed the A27 to Angmering, where MA headed home.  PT continued over Highdown, past Tesco and up Mill lane to the gallops.  Significant amounts of mud were distributed on the descent of Bost Hill.

No rain, but the evidence of last night’s rain was all around.  All covered about 24 miles.

Meanwhile, our favourite viking was out and about in Denmark, on a 17 mile and 600 foot excursion to the east of Vordingberg: