04. April 2025
FGCC rides in April 2025
Saturday 5th April Monarch’s Way ride
PT, TK, MA, RT
All met at Havant station with RT/TK having taken the train from Worthing, MA from Angmering and PT from Horsham.
E-bikes only for this ride so we were anticipating arrival back home much earlier than usual.
First we rode to Rowlands Castle for a brek in the sunshine at the Bumblebee cafe.
Setting off towards Stansted House we had only gone a few paces when a “blasteet” cry went up from PT. The FGCC teamwork swiftly got into action and a replacement inner was installed. However, just as we were about to set off again, a second blasteet occurred in the same wheel. For the second time no hole could be found in the inner, though a second thorough inspection of the tyre identified a possible cause of the problem. A patch was placed on the inside of the tyre and a new inner tube was installed, both of which seemed to have resolved the matter, and we could finally set off.
The peloton headed off in a southeasterly direction on Woodberry Lane, noting the extremely dry state of the Lavant in comparison to previous years when flooding had made it almost impassable. Then an easterly off-road took us towards and past Stansted House and on to Walberton, where a new track was chosen to take us up to the edge of Inholmes Wood.
Down to Stoughton and onto the farm track to the blues skies and green landscape views at the edge of Wildham Wood and a stop for refreshments.
We continued in a northeasterly direction past the amazing ancient Yew trees and down the tricky traverse, which was thankfully dry, to cross the Chilgrove-Lavant road. This took us into Hylter’s Lane and then a right turn onto a track towards West Dean, otherwise known to the FGCC as Blasteet Alley (Monarch’s Way ride 2010). Reaching the original point the peloton awaited the arrival of Team Mechanic, whom we assumed couldn’t help but stop to assist a cyclist who was fixing a Blasteet and had refused assistance of each of us as we passed. It turned out that the cyclist did need assistance.
We continued on down to West Dean to take advantage of the services of the village shop and the tables outside in the sun. Sitting a bike maintenance station TM couldn’t resist making use of a very large track pump but this only resulted in another deflation of his rear tyre. Tyre fixed, PT decided that it was time for him to return to Horsham, so the peloton decided to accompany him to Chichester along the Centurion Way to see him onto the train.
The remaining pelethree then continued on a wiggly easterly road route to Paine’s Wood, again enjoying riding on a very dry track that had been running water the last time we ventured along it. Into Arundel and then to Warningcamp and into Angmering Park estate bidding farewell to MA just above Michelgrove Lane. MA headed home south to Angmering while the final peletwo followed the Monarch’s Way into Findon, ending up at their homes on Monarch’s Way Findon, aka Steep Lane.
Total 48 miles and 2700ft for the Peletwo, 43 miles and 2,200ft for MA and 18 miles and 1,300ft for PT.
TAMITS: PT not being able to resist use of the bike station at West Dean resulting in another puncture.
Saturday 12th April 08.00am training ride
AM, PT, TK, RT and Irish John (TK’s former neighbour).
Good to see AM out on his off-road bike and not being delayed by the flies. TK’s former neighbour John joined us for a trial ride with the FGCC. Shoreham chosen as the target destination.
Route Cissbury, Lancing clump, Lancing College, footbridge and to Teddies, where we were able to get a table in spite of the market. Return route via sea front, west worthing, TAB and Mill Lane for a coffee break at the cafe at the top. Finally along Honeysuckle Lane and Church Hill.
Total: 20 miles and 1,100ft
Saturday 19th April 08.00am ride
ZA, MA meeting PT at Dee Dee’s
A proper 4 peaks ride, with MA riding over from Angmering as usual prior to joining ZA at OPG.
ZA reports:
Un Pelodeux – MA & ZA – ‘Four Peaks’, ‘anti-clockwise’.
As per Strava, our route took us to the Trig Point on the top of Cissbury Ring.
Exiting via the East entrance, a kindly passing runner lent assistance with lifting our bikes over the gate …
We passed around Chanctonbury Ring on the N side to enjoy spectacular views across the Weald. Observing the Surrey Hills in the distance brought back fond memories of our recent NWP/Downslink Ride, 21-22 March.
It was the first time either of us had ridden the SDW, descending from Chanctonbury to cross the A24, since that section was resurfaced …
We continued up Sullington Hill and on to The Barn, before turning east (into the wind) for the descent towards Muntham and thence to cross the A280/Long Furlong.
ZA lingered awhile to enjoy the bluebells in the wood at the top of Church Hill – when I reached the bottom of the hill, in true ‘gentlemanly fashion’, my companion had turned his steed around to come back to check I was alright 🤲 (guessing, correctly in fact, that perhaps a ‘dry patch’ had been sought out!).
Deedee’s very obligingly assisted with the important business of breaking our fast.
There we were joined by PT, who had been transacting important business relating to apparel, on behalf of participants in the forthcoming Hadrian’s Wall Ride, and was intent on visiting Nepcroft to lend RT a tool needed for replacing a bottom bracket.
Amongst topics of conversation was PT + ‘Memsahib’s forthcoming cruise, which led to PT relating his family’s lengthy voyage on a ‘mail ship’ to New Zealand in 1960 🚢. Most interesting …
Strava records distance travelled etc (12.5mls), though, of course, MA had already ridden over from Angmering (I believe PT offered him a lift back)
Had RT been able to join us, at some point doubtless he would have observed, ‘It’s good to be out’. And, indeed, it was
Total 21 miles and 1900ft for MA and 13 miles and 1400 ft for ZA
Saturday 26th April 08.00am ride
RK, TK, ZA, MA, RT & Philip meeting TB at the airport.
2 new ebikes on display today – firstly a full suspension for Philip and secondly TB’s when he joined the peloton at the airport.
Meanwhile RK was the sole analogue rider – how things have changed.
Route Cissbury, Steyning Road and straight on to the Coombes. Then along to St Botolphs and onto the Downslink, to the Shoreham footbridge and to the airport. With perfect timing TB arrived only a few minutes later, having had a late start after a little excess the previous evening.
At the brek TB was presented with his NGN medal by MA, having not been able to attend the original event. The medal was created from the note provided by the Mayor of Albert’s note which had given the address of the garage from which TB could recover his car after his parking offence (parking in a part of the car park where the next day’s market was to be held – see blog for the Somme trip 2024 for details).
Return route via Lancing clump with a split at the top for most of the ebikers to enjoy shooting to the very top and others taking the more direct route re-convening at the pylons. Finally to Cissbury car park and Findon.
Total for the main peloton: 16 miles and 1,300ft with MA riding 30 miles and 2,400 ft
TB 17 miles and 1,465ft
Meanwhile:
In Marche province in Italy Mr Budd enjoyed a short riverside ride of 11miles and 560ft.
And PT enjoyed a 10mile floating ride somewhere between Algeria and Sardinia.
