03.March 2025
FGCC rides in March 2025
Saturday 1st March 08.00am training ride
ZA writes:
“The need to take my ebike to All Ride Now offered the opportunity to do a ride from Midhurst.
The Sports Pavilion in (or, rather, just to the east of) Fernhurst serves coffee, breakfasts every day – from 08.30 weekdays, 09.00 Sat, Sun)
Was glad to be astride ebike for the ascent up Easebourne Street, though nice drop down into Bexley Hill; rode through v pleasant countryside to Milland and around Harting Combe. Found myself on the A272, W of Trotton Bridge having missed turning into Brier Lane (Track) but traffic only light, and there is a cycle track for the last3 or 4 mls back to Midhurst. C.24 miles and 1600 feet. Luvverly day to be out. 
”
His route was this, according to Strava:
Meanwhile, The Dane was out marauding on the continent, covering about 17 miles and 650 feet:
MA rode through the freezing morning to convene with PT and analogue RT at OPG, and the pelethree resolved to go over Chanctonbury to Dial Post. RT immediately returned home to get an e-bike, as he did not relish being in a minority of one on analogue. A road route was planned, to avoid the muddy footpath through the woods, and we set off from Nepcote over to Stable Lane and Chanctonbury. Completing the descent of Llama Lane, we reached Ashington by road as MA’s indicated available range plummetted due to a chilly battery. Since it was unlikely he would reach Dial post and back, plans were changed to a route towards a brek at DeeDees, again mostly on road to conserve MA’s battery. Following the cycle path on the west side of the A24, we climbed the downs at Washington. to lengthen the ride a bit, we then decided to head to North Farm and climb up to Chanctonbury.
Catching sight of a “Bicycle Exchange” banner behind the Chalk restaurant, we investigated to find that they had opened that morning, relocating from premises in Ashington. Celebratory coffee and bacon sndwiches ensued for PT and RT, but a lack of decaff and gluten-free meant MA had to wait for brek.
We were commemorated on their Facebook page thus:
Really helpful, they tried to get a charge into MA’s steed, but the lack of a compatible charger defeated the effort. Taking our leave, we headed south then climbed Chanctonbury, took SDW to Langmead, then south to Lychpole Farm and back over Cissbury to DeeDees to finally feed MA. In a spirit of solidarity, further bacons were consumed by others.
An intense burst of logistical planning saw MA’s now enfeebled bike bundled int PT’s car at OPG, while MA rode PT’s bike up to Nepcroft for a brief stay in RT’s garage (even a bike needs a holiday now and then). PT drove up to Nepcroft to collect MA and ferry him and bike home to Angmering. The route was (purple for MA, red for PT and RT) 25 miles and 2155 feet for MA, 17ish and 1600 feet for PT and RT
Saturday 8th March 08.00am post NGN ride
Following a splendid evening of quaffing, scoffing, celebrating and VT an impressive peloton of 5 gentlemen assembled at OPG, including RK, KBS, CB, MA, with PT attending to see the start before heading off on holiday. The flies were at work in School Hill with Mr Mead contemplating joining the peloton at the brek, but as it happened him not making it. Meanwhile our Team Chaplain had escaped to the environs of Cannock Chase national park – see below.
Destination selected was the airport with the route to include the “jumps” downhill section to Steyning. Up Stable Lane and the two continentals sped off into the distance, leaving the e-bikes to accompany the remaining analogue. Onwards towards Llama lane with RT having to switch on the power to catch the FD and prevent him from heading off in the wrong direction, as is his nature.
Onto the SDW in an easterly direction and then north and parallel to the SDW to get to the jumps. KBS joyfully headed for one of the downhill tracks whilst the rest of the peloton headed off down on the green route to wait for him. The FD was soon spotted at the top of a steep drop, clearly having missed a turning somewhere and having to descend carefully on foot to his disappointment.
Down Mouse Lane into Steyning then round to the church and onwards to connect with the Downlink to Shoreham for a fine brek at the airport.
Return route along the seafront to the Canadian memorial where MA parted company. Up Grand Avenue to West Worthing, TAB and then all the way up Mill Lane, with RT doing a double loop to enjoy the e-bike in turbo mode. At the top of Mill Lane CB dropped down the Bostal to go directly home, whilst the FD hadn’t waited and charged off up Honeysuckle Lane to the to of Church Hill, wondering where everyone else was.
Finally back together the remaining pelethree dropped down Church Hill and to Findon.
Total: 24 miles and 1,260ft
ZA total: 22 miles and 1,209 ft
His ride in Staffordshire took in a large section of the Cannock Chase National park.
Saturday 15th March 08.00am training ride
ZA has provided the following account of the day:
MA (having ridden over to Findon from Angmering) & CB, departing OPG for ‘Chippings’, Nepfield Close, encountered ZA making his way down to OPG, in Nepcote Lane.
The Peletrois made for Chez Budd so that CB could monitor how Mrs B was faring with her recently delegated project management responsibilities re landscaping works, using as a pretext his need to change steeds (his Giant allegedly having developed a problem with its rear derailleur).
Having satisfied himself that Mrs B had things in hand, and having extricated his red Specialized steed from its accustomed place in a garage currently having to double as supply depot for the current works at ‘Chippings’, the Peletrois made its way up to Muntham, thence in the face of a strongish wind from the N to join the SDW. Shortly before descent to Kithurst Hill c/p, we turned L to pass site formerly occupied by the WWll Churchill Tank, crossed fields enjoying view of Arundel Castle in the distance. On the descent parallel to the Gallops, ZA challenged a hare to a race, only to be disappointed as said hare veered off, seemingly believing that the competition wasn’t up to much. Progress continued past the 2009 CB Memorial (still in good fettle) down the spectacular ‘dry valley’ and along track to join road from Burpham.
Entering Arundel, it was apparent that it was Farmers Market Day, but despite Moat Hse Cafe being busy, our ‘Advance Party’ (CB) managed to secure (one of our) ‘Usual Table(s)’. Shortly after our arrival, we we’d joined by AM having made his own way astride his Reilly. When it came to requesting and settling the bill for our repaste, our eagle-eyed Whipmeister spotted that we hadn’t been charged enough, and quickly took effective remedial action in that decisive manner to be expected of an FGCC man ‘At the very top of his game’.
Departing a by now quite busy Arundel c.11.10, having unexpectedly met his cousin, ZA rather overambitiously told MA & CB he would ‘catch them up’. Despite being astride his ebike, he only managed to catch his companions up at Hammerpot because they had halted to enable MA to peel off back home to Angmering. Meanwhile AM was intent on making his way back via Climping …
CB & ZA crossed the A27 at Hammerpot to continue on the cycle path before joining the old Arundel Rd just W of The Fox. Continuing past The Worlds End, we braved 0.4 mls of the A27 from Patching Junction to Holt Lane and the bridleway up through Clapham Woods, returning to Findon down Church Hill to cross the A24 by The Black Horse, retuning home c.12.10 having ridden c.20 mls in fine sunny weather, CB having had little difficulty in more than holding his own astride his old red 26” wheel Specialized in company with 2 ebikers
Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd March NW Passage/bus replacement ride
An overnight ride to Guildford was chosen, with JR’s plan to ride the Wey/Arun/Basingstoke canals was held over until he can be in the peleton again
Much scope for a debacle on Day 1, as PT (green) sets out from Horsham and CB,MA and ZA (red) set out from Findon to rendezvous at Wisborough Green.
Fine day for a ride, with historical note as PT passes over the Wey/Arun canal at a disused lock east of Wisborough Green on the way to the rv.
PT reaches rv without mishap, and settles down to await the Findon pelethree.
DETAIL OF THE PELETHREE RIDE FINDON TO WG NEEDED HERE
After a quick but restorative lunch at the Old Mill Cafe, the pelefour headed north to Loxwood, joining the towpath and heading up through Sidney Wood, and after a missed turn in Sedgehurst Wood we skirted round the west side of Dunsfold airfield to cross the A281 at Mill Farm. East through Great Garson to join Alfold road north and cross the Downslink at Cranleigh. Continuing north we passed Cranleigh Scool (ZA’s alma mater) and to the north end of Smithwood Common, where CB missed the turn and continued northwest for a mile before a phone call brought him back. Northeast by road to Winterfold Lane and Farley Green, and up Brook Hill to Albury Heath, continuing north to join the A248 crossing the Tilling Bourne and on to the A25 at Sherbourne Pond. Fortunately a cycle path had been cut alongside the A25 simplifying the climb until we branched left into the woods and completed the climb to Newlands Corner off-road along a byway. A gentle drop down the north slope took us to the Guildford Manor hotel drive, where CB had arranged billets for the night.
Use was made of the pool and spa, until we reassemble for post-ride rehydration in the hotel bar before walking the 300 yards along the A25 to Carlo’s Trattoria, for a fine dinner.
Day 2 saw the peleton well breakfasted for the return ride down the Downslink, taking in St Martha’s Hill (Official start of the Downslink)
After moderate faffing involving replacement of batteries in ebikes, ZA showed his faffing virtuosity by declaring the loss of his water bottle. After returning to hotel reception and to his room in search of the wayward flask, it was located on a table in the bike faffing area. It had clearly made its way onto a table of its own colour, to take advantage of natural camouflage.
South from the hotel, past Newlands corner and down the track to water lane, where we turned west to reach the top end of the Downslink. A further westerly detour enabled us to visit St Martha’s church (she is often depicted in religious statuary carrying a water bottle)
After a group photo at the stone marking the start of the downslink, the pelefour proceeded along it in overcast but dry conditions. The Milk Churn at Rudgewick fulfilled our cheese-on-toast needs amply. proceeding on, PT peeled off at Batts Bridge just before Christ’s Hospital to make for Horsham. MA and ZA sped on to catch up with CB at Southwater and onward to Findon.
Tommy (yellow) meanwhile sallied forth from Findon on the Saturday, while the Flying Dane (blue) was also out representing the FGCC in Denmark:
Saturday 29th March 08.00am training ride.
Mark (blue) rode over to Findon, and was joined by PT, CB and ZA, with JR making a welcome appearance at OPG to see the pelefour on their way. AM was troubled by the tsetses, but the brek venue was broadcast.
The Pelefour (green) set off up and over Cissbury, across the Steyning road then up to the trig point on Steep down, for a panoramic view in the sunshine.
Continuing over Lancing Ring, where PT paused to fix a blasteet, the pelefour took the gentrified track past Lancing College, and the new highway along the north side of the A27. Passing under the A27 we emerged at the coffee trailer by the wooden bridge, and then on to airport.
Followig a fine brek, at which the pelefour was augmented by the arrivals of Messrs JR and MA by divers means, Mr Avery produced his patented caseless pinhole camera (comprising a first sheet of card with a hole in it, and a second sheet of card with no hole in it). By dextrous and optically astute manipulation and positioning of the first sheet to interpose it between the second sheet and the sun, an image of the partial solar eclipse was viewable on the second sheet, to the delight of all:
Having suitably marked this astronomical event, the company dispersed with AM and JR departing by road (by bike and car respectively) while the pelefour continued to and along the seafront (green). At the Half Brick, ZA and CB turned north for Findon, while PT and MA maintained a westerly course to salute the Canadian Flag at Grand Avenue (#elbowsup). MA continued west to Angmering, while PT headed north back to Findon. Lovely sunny day, with about 17 miles and 900 feet climbed.
Meanwhile in Denmark, the Flying Dane was again out and about,
representing the FGCC on an easterly route from Vordingburg