The Findon Gentlemen's Cycling Club

Findon Gentlemen’s Cycling Club rides in June 2025

Saturday 7th June 08.00am ride

Mark arrived from Angmering to meet Paul and Andy at OPG under grey and intermittently leaky skies.  John R whatsapped from WHQ to request the brek venue, and John (the other John) wandered down to OPG to let us know he was not out, in a story involving a long walk to collect a dog, and the aforementioned leakiness.

The e-three decided on Arundel, and informed Gentlemen of the visit to Erica’s by Whatsapp. The route went up through Muntham, along the SDW and down through Peppering Farm to Burpham.  Return leg via Warningcamp (or is it Lid?), up to APE, down to A27 and along it to Hammerpot, dropping Mark off and proceeding through the village (round the excavations) and over Highdown.  Mil Lane to, and then through, the Cemetery and finally home by the superhighway.  23.97 miles and 1546 feet

Meanwhile ZA was in Gloucestershire.  He writes:

“Instead of heading into the Cotswolds from Ebley (nr Stroud), today I ventured west down to Frampton on Severn, taking in a section of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal towpath before venturing further out to Arlingham (‘Morning Coffee Stop’) from where there were great views to be had of the Forest of Dean.

From there I followed the curve of the River Severn around to Epney to make my way back to Stroud Farmers Market via The Electric Bike Shop – Gloucester, on B 4008 just S of Jn 12 M5 (where I called to get a pedal upgrade), Stonehouse and the Stroudwater Canal towpath – c.35 mls total (Route on Strava) minimal climbing (478 feet – Ed), but an enjoyable excursion nonetheless”

Also the intrepid Dane was out and about from Vordingberg:

covering 18 miles and climbing 680 feet.

Saturday 14th June 08.00amride

RK, RT, TK, AM, ZA, Nigel

RK had proposed an aerial day trip to Duxford with RT & ZA, but uncertainty about weather being suitable for flying necessitated postponement of trip. Any disappointment soon mitigated by RK, RT & ZA being able to ride instead

Stable Lane, Gallops, towards Chanctonbury: Le Peloton became 2x Peletrois’s – RK, RT, ZA descending scarp slope of Downs via the ‘Lion Trail’, AM, Nigel & TK via a route with fewer ‘jumps’ to meet up again N of Mouse Lane. Steyning, Bramber, Downslink , from where ZA diverted to refill water bottle at ‘Peggy’s Tap – an installation effected by the Sussex Guild of Downsmen whilst his (my) Aunt Peggy was Chairman – others kindly waited for him (me) prior to crossing the Old Bridge at Shoreham.

Le Peloton reunie was joined by TB at The Hummingbird Cafe, Shoreham airport. Tommy shared with us sad news that Ali’s mother, Pat, whom those of us present at Ali & Tommy’s BBQ, Aug 2023 remember meeting and enjoying her company, had ‘left us while’/passed away early that morning. May she RIP ….

Le Peloton now six made its way back to Findon via Coombes where Monsieur Mead took a Little Liedown in a (in)conveniently sited bed of nettles, Cissbury car park etc

19.17 miles and 1338 feet climbed.

Saturday 21st June Chippings Trek & Brek CB

ZA MA PT AM JR TK RT with chef CB at the start to check numbers.

A 4 peaks plus route in order to arrive back at 10.30.

Up to Cissbury car park at which point the peloton split into those who wanted to do a full 4 peaks (TK MA RT) and the main peloton continuing towards Chantonbury. The former went up the east side to the top and then descended via the “goat trail” to double back towards No Mans Land and back to Cissbury car park and a rush to catch up with the peloton.

At Chanctonbury another peloton split with the same three plus ZA going via the dew pond to enjoy the magnificent westerly view and the main peloton continuing on the SDW.

Across the A24 and up the steep climb towards the high barn, but with PT demonstrating how to accomplish a little lie down to a group of walkers whilst climbing the tricky gravel/rocky section. Another knee graze did not prevent him from continuing.

At the top we turned south to go past Tolmere and on to Honeysuckle Lane, down Mill Lane and back north along the gallops, the lower section of the Bostal and the new cycling highway into Nepcote and to Chippings to admire the dramatic change to the garden there.

Head chef CB with his assistant Jo produced a magnificent brek appreciated by all.

Total 13 miles and 1,200ft

Friday 27th – Sunday 29th Isle of Wight ride

Day 1. PT, JR, ZA, MB, RK, MA, RT

Barcle over switching trains at Barnham and Havant, with MA switching at Barnham and remainder at Havant, but all ending up on the same train.

Fastcat across to Ryde and a short ride to the beach cafe on Golden Walk to set us up for the day’s riding. We then headed off east along the beach and then south after the Alan Hersey Nature reserve and onto mostly off-road sections through Ghostly Hallow Woods, then past Bluebell Woods and Brading RSPB marshes. Continued south on road through Brading and down onto Sandown esplanade for a coffee stop.

Following refreshments we then proceeded along the Revetment to Shanklin and up the steep hill to recall memories of the first IOW ride and the hotel there – prior to that at Brading we recalled from 2004 the emerging continental habit of diverting off route when CB wanted more hills and set off apart from the peloton.

After Shanklin Station we joined the sustrans route that took us North to the Newport road, then north past the airport and up to the Alverstone road on an off-road section and another section in a northeasterly direction to take us onto the Sandown-Newport cycleway.

A late lunch was taken at the Pedallers Cafe with a hint of rain.

Day 2. PT, RK, MA, RT with ZA, MB part-ride and farewell to JR.

Day 3. PT, RK, MA, RT