05. May 2025
FGCC rides in May 2025.
Saturday 3rd May 08.00am training ride
A grand peloton of 9 assembled at OPG limiting options of destinations that could take such a number.
ZA, AM, MA, TB, TK, RK, RT, Irish John and newcomer Nigel
Nigel on another new Cube electric further diminishing the proportion of analogues. However, Team Chaplain having noted that RK could be a sole analogue chose to accompany on his analogue. The other surprise of the morning was that AM had warned of the presence of a swarm of those flies but managed to beat them off and arrive on time an also on analogue.
Ferring Country park destination with a ride through APE to savour the last of the bluebells. Up Church Hill and then north across Long Furlong and onto the Monarch’s Way into APE, with a “gate race” emerging between TK and RT, with youth unfortunately having the upper hand.
A circuit within the woods then took us to the wonderfully named Swillage Lane and to the old a24. Then under the A24 and up to Highdown, over the top and down to Hangleton Lane, into Ferring and to the Country Centre for a fine brek.
At the brek TB recounted an event during his ride the previous day when he attempted to rescue a French damsel in distress, who was attempting to repair a “blasteet” at the top of Truleigh Hill. His offer of assistance was kindly rejected as apparently the husband had gone to get some “tools”. Maybe the rejection had something to do with his classical “Franglais” accent?
However just as TB was about to depart the husband arrived with an ice creams and promptly asked TB if he could assist. Tommy got out his big lever and helped sort out the blasteet in true FGCC style – a TAMITS?
Return route same up to Highdown and then Durrington, Mill Lane and the Gallops to Findon with MA and TB parting along the way.
Total 18 miles and 1,500ft
After the ride The Croc led a small FGCC expedition abroad to the Isle of Wight to ensure that all would be safe for our ride in June.
Meanwhile:
Somewhere about half way between Crete and Sardinia, PT cycled for 22miles with zero ft climbed at an average of just under 20 knots (according to Strava😉).
Saturday 10th May 08.00am training ride
TK, TB, PT, JC, RT meeting JR at Old Barn Nurseries. MA turned up at OPG from Angmering to then go directly home for duties.
An all e-bike ride. Started off round the back of Chalk Farm restaurant and then up the SDW west to the gas facility and round the north side of Chanctonbury. North on Chanctonbury Ring road and across the A283, then continuing north on roads and bridleways to Dial Post. A couple of “computer says no” moments for JC requiring switching off the bike or disconnecting the battery before it could get going again.
A surprise and welcome arrival of Mr Roche in the middle of our brek.
Return route was through a very dry Knepp Estate and then along roads to take us to Sullington where we stopped for a coffee break with TB obtaining an extension to his pass for a relaxed break.
Up to the SDW at the High Barn and then straight south and across Long Furlong to Church Hill where TB continued south and the remainder of the peloton descended Church Hill to Findon.
Total 23 miles and 1,735 ft.
Meanwhile in Italy CB challenged the local hills to complete a 24 mile circuit climbing 2,200ft in the process.
Also ZA sallied forth. He writes:
“Dep Cherry Cottage c.09.00 on GIANT (road bike) for Portslade to collect my brother, Daniel’s Membership Pass for Sussex County Cricket Club; arrived at County Ground c.10.30 in time to watch pre-lunch session, Day 2 Sussex v Worcestershire, County Championship, Division 1. (Approx 15 mls). Left the Ground c.13.10 to return Membership Pass to Daniel …(2mls)
Caught 14. 50 train from Portslade to Angmering; rode to Favourite Daughter’s (1.5 mls) to join Family for fun & chips on the beach at East Preston from where -later – rode back to Findon (7 mls): neglected to turn Strava off when boarding train 
Reckon total distance ridden 25-26 mls.”
Saturday 17th May 08.00am Adrian Swall preparation ride.
PT AM RK TK RT and Nigel with MA at start and brek
The plan was for a ride whilst MA acquired the van and then to load the van. MA appeared at the start of the ride and then rode to the hire shop only to find that they weren’t ready and so proceeded to the brek location, the Harbour Lights in LA.
The e-peloton set off over the field and then up to the SDW, down to Leigh Farm and along the Gallops and onto the Monarchs Way to Warningcamp. Along to the A27 and then to the Ford Road and into LA.
Post brek MA and AM set off to the hire shop whilst the peloton returned to Findon via the sea front, A259, a turbo charge up Highdown and then Mill Lane and the motorway to Findon.
By this time the van had arrived in Findon and was subsequently loaded with bikes in readiness for the trip, with Mr Avery demonstrating a range of nautical knots to secure the bikes for the journey.
Total: 29 miles and 1,375 ft climbed
TAMITS: MA and his nautical knots – “they are not knots”, he quickly stated, especially when racing.
Sunday 18th to Saturday 24th ‘Adrian Swall ride
All gathered at OPG at the appointed time of 08.00am to load luggage into the vehicles and get going by 09.00. Surprisingly in spite of the usual faffing we were away by 08.30, with AM leading the way at high speed in the van, followed by RT and ZA in their vehicles. RT vehicle diverted to collect PT.
First stop Oxford Services on M40 with the van getting there first.
Lunch stop at T-bay services on the M6.
Arrival in Whitehaven by around 4.00pm
An entertaining evening meeting others in the hotel bar, particularly the couple who had been married twice and the colourful manager. Dinner in Whitehavens classiest (?) pizza house (actually a good meal with good service) followed by a walk to observe a brilliant sunset followed by a pub visit in yet another entertaining location – another proprietor with interesting facial decoration.
TAMITS: AM white van man award for high speed van driving.
Monday 19th; Day 1
All assembled at 08.00am to remove bikes from the storage room and sit down for breakfast, which was served by our host running around at high speed (was he also doing the cooking, excellent though it was?).
After the brek the drivers, JR, ZA & RT set off to refuel at a local very low priced station only to lose JR in the process. Drove to the next hotel at Wheyrigg where we left the cars, returning to the proposed lunch stop at the Stag Inn at Crosby. This involved a circular 2 mile route through narrow lanes back to the start point in Crosby only to find the pub a few hundred yards down the main road, all courtesy of the lady on Google maps.
It then turned out that no food was being served at the pub, where we had intended to park the LSV, but just as we were deliberating what to do a call came in for the LSV to be put into use as Mark’s freewheel had failed. Car drivers cycled to the new stop at Maryport while JR drove the LSV there.
Meanwhile the main peloton had set off from the hotel down a track to the port for the official start, but no wheel dipping due to lack of access. From there the route took a road parallel to the railtrack out of the town past Parton to find a track again parallel to the rail track but with a 40m climb onto the adjacent hill. The route continued along the ridge to Harrington followed by a mix of on- and off-road through Workington, continuing to follow the coast rail line off road all the way to Flimby, where Mark’s free hub failed. PT then towed MA to Maryport which was only a short distance away for a rendezvous with the drivers and the LSV.
Lunch for all at the Harbourside cafe after which our TM inspected the failed free hub but concluded that it would have to be taken to a bike shop for more major surgery. MA then took his bike in the LSV and headed for Carlisle and then to meet all at the hotel.
The peloton then set off in a north easterly direction along the promenade and coastal path up to Silloth in anticipation of seeing some evidence of Roman times. There only being a mound that might have been a coastal fort, the peloton settled for a tea stop at the Post Office cafe.
Following the advice of the proprietor the peloton then set off again in a north easterly direction to Skipburness and then turn south east to go through the Nature Reserve, a freezing ride due to the continuing easterly wind .
A wandering mostly road route in a generally south easterly direction took us to Wheyrigg and the hotel, though this included an interesting off-road bridlepath, close to the hamlet of Calvo, that the farmer clearly intended should lose its right of way. The first section of track was made up of broken up paving slabs that caused Andy to have a little lie down. Following a few paces behind RT was presented with the entertaining view of “Badger Mead” with only backside and legs displayed from under a hedge.
Injury limited to a grazed knee and damaged pride we continued to a gate consisting of two loose gates tied together and the Lemo penknife was put to good use to clear the way. The Flying Dane then sped off through the long grass to the next difficult gate, but it proved no match for a rampant viking.
The next gate had large gauge wire mesh nailed across it leading to a debate as to whether we should proceed further. But this was clearly a right of way so the wire was released with a combination of careful extraction of one part by RT and a heavy boot by PT to let all through. Wire reinstalled to ensure no animals could get through and the peloton ploughed through yet more long grass until we arrived at a proper gate by a field and the farmhouse buildings.
Although we were anticipating some negativity we were waved across to the correct exit and continued on our way on road to Brownrigg, then Abbeytown and finally the hotel at Wheyrigg.
Service that evening was dominated by an officious Landlady taking orders and keeping control.
Amongst others met that evening were two brothers on a tour of the UK in a pristine Morris 1000 in aid of prostrate cancer fund raising.
Total: 31 miles and 360 ft for the drivers.
TAMITS: JR’s young lady on the satnav sending him round in circles.
Tuesday 20th; Day 2
JR took the van, and PT and RK the cars, and headed off to Carlisle to pre-position the cars at the next digs. Routemeister PT excelled by turning right instead of left as we exited on to the main road for Carlisle, necessitating a squadron U-turn for the cars. Eventually reached hotel, but JR missing. Located him on other side of hotel, so a 1/4 mile walk by PT and RK reunited the trio. Proceeded to car park on Solway firth, and set off a velo to meet the peleton after 400 yards.
Meanwhile the peloton had set off again on road back to Abbeytown, then in a north easterly direction to the east of Newton Marsh up to Whitrigg and then all the way round the South Solway Mosses and the Campfield Marshes nature reserves to Bowness on Solway which was where we came across the drivers. We had encountered a “road closed” sign a quarter of the way round the nature reserves but elected to continue which meant that we were able to enjoy that section without any traffic.
We then followed National Cycle route 72 to the A689 having had the Solway Firth on our left side for most of the ride.
We then headed towards the river Eden and just before it joined the Hadrian’s Wall path that runs beside the river here. Some debate as to whether to ride on a footpath but PT convinced us to ignore footpath signs (strongly backed up by the FD naturally) and so we started along it. Not far on and we encountered a series of steep steps down to the river level and a bit further along steps back up again, both of which proved a bit of a challenge for heavy e-bikes sometimes with two riders to get a bike up some places. A further similar series of steps down and up again (“lesser men would have buckled” no doubt JR would have said) before we arrived in Carlisle and found our way to the luxury of the Crown and Mitre Hotel.
That evening we were treated to a combination of good beer at between £1.39 and £1.80 a pint followed by an excellent curry at a South Indian restaurant (The Masala?), which of course had been sniffed out by our curry king, TK.
Total: 33 miles and 720ft for the peloton
TAMITS. Escalator award for our Team Cartographer for presenting the peloton with weight lifting exercises.
Wednesday 21st; Day 3
Drivers ZA & RT with JR in the van headed to the next stop, The Manor House Hotel at Haltwhistle, again intending to travel in convoy but losing ZA as, having lived in Carlisle for a long time thought he knew a shortcut but ended up arriving much later than the others. Having parked up we then headed back to Brampton in the van to head east to join the peloton alongside Carlisle Airport.
Retracing our steps to Brampton the peloton then set off up the wonderfully named “The Swartle” road to Lanercost, then taking southerly route to North past Haworth Castle and a long steep climb..
…and all the way to Hallbankgate for a fuel stop at the cafe there. Continuing west along the A689, we turned off onto a fabulous track across the moor at Coalfell. This would have been an impassable route generally at this time of year but the extended dry spell made for excellent ground conditions and to enjoy the amazing scenery along with being able to hear curlews and other birds.
We continued in an easterly direction until we came across a road to take us in a south easterly direction towards Lambley. A short section of the A689 and an attempt to get to the Lambley viaduct, which involved us trustingly following our Team Cartographer down some steep steps to the level of the viaduct. However how to get onto it? The Croc’s explorer instincts went into action and he headed off to try to find a point of access, albeit through private property. Then with PT he headed down further into the valley and up another series of steps to be able to confirm that the viaduct was sealed off for safety reasons. The peloton then had to again heave our heavy bikes back up the steps to the road.
We then headed north and north east on road to Haltwistle and the Manor House hotel.
Total: 26 miles and 2050 ft for the drivers
TAMITS: PT’s attempts yet again to engage the peloton in weight lifting exercises
Thursday 22nd; Day 4
The peloton started the day by heading for one of the best parts of Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 42. The drivers made a stop here on their way so that we could all enjoy this spectacle. We were then greeted by a couple of wall walkers, an American man with his son, aptly called Atticus. Both were thoroughly enjoying the experience of England with fulsome praise for pubs and a his favourite bitter – “Old Spotted Rooster”. When asked where they were headed that day the answer was Lancaster (80+ miles away?). It turned out to be Lanercost.
A Canadian walker also went past and it was refreshingly clear from the banter between him and the Americans that real people from across the pond continue to engage in a friendly manner in spite of the political situation at the time.
Following this the drivers headed off to deliver cars at Whittonstall and the peloton headed east along the military road and then Stangate, parallel to the military road, to a ruined Roman fort at Vindolanda, but only viewed it over the fence as a proper visit would have taken much of the day.
Continuing on Stanegate and cycle route 72 took us to Fourstones and then south east to cross the Tyne and then under the A69 taking us along a path parallel to both the river and a railway where we met the drivers.
Drivers ride that morning . PT comments:
John and I parked the van in Hexham, after delivering the cars to the pub at Whittonstall, and then rode west from Hexham to meet the peleton at a point between the river and the railway. All then turned east, and almost immediately Andy and I were alone on the riverbank with Andy’s flat rear tyre.
After four attempts to remove, repair and refit the inner tube (interspersed with strongly held views expressed eloquently and at length by Andy, and periods of Yoda-like verbal soothing from PT), we noticed that the tyre bead wire was exposed, and skewered the inner tube each time. As I recall, a roll of black insulating tape was used to cover the end of the bead wire, and success eventually ensued, thus avoiding Andy’s solution of throwing the bike in the river.
We rejoined the peleton, who had found the cafe Enna.
Meanwhile the peloton were treated to the sight of our master of the nations train set on how to use a rail crossing prior to getting to the cafe.
Refreshed we went round the north of Hexham and then across the Tyne again still following cycle route 72 all the way to Corbridge and parting company from it at Bywell where we turned south across the river again. Heading south along the B6309 and a loop round the south of Stocksfield golf club. Then a long climb up a track heading southeast before turning west and dropping right down and back up to the hotel at Whittonstall, a final and significant challenge for the Dane on analogue.
Total: 35 miles and 2,790 for the peloton
TAMITS: Andy’s puncture meltdown on the Adrian Swall ride.
Friday 23rd; Day 5
The flat ride along the river after descending from the hills.
After delivering the vehicles to the hotel the drivers set off along the south side of the river until the city centre taking the Millennium bridge across it.. Then we continued west along the north bank past Wallsend and to the Riverside Country park where we came across the peloton.
Lunch was taken at the Rowing club on the balcony in glorious sunshine before we all headed east again, retracing the drivers’ route across the Millennium bridge and then on the south bank to the Tyne Tunnel pedestrian hub in order to experience it. After that we followed the river east again on the north side to the quay at North Shields to be able to take the ferry across to South Shields and thence to the not-so-little Little Haven Hotel which probably wouldn’t feature on Buddadvisor.
Total: 40 miles and 1,525ft climbed for the drivers
Saturday 24th. Return to Findon.
An uneventful return to the south with the van driven by our two DJ’s, Andy and John. Their recommendation for the journey was to put on Gold Radio but switch temporarily to Boom radio during ads to be able to enjoy a constant provision of music of our time.
On arrival at Findon great service was provided by Mr Avery sorting out bike delivery and the van itself.
Saturday 31st May 08.00am
To Littlehampton, with a peleton comprising PT MA RT RK JR AM and Nigel. Out via the Crem, SDW, Warningcamp, Crossbush, Lyminster and L’ton. MA peeled off, and the rest rode back through sea estates and footpath to Ferring, Goring, Durrinton, Mill Lane, Gallops and superhighway. 27 miles, 1050ish feet climbed.
ZA was out for a jaunt to the beach and over Lancing Clump, covering 13 miles and 950ish feet.
In Denmark, Kim was out for a spin of 17 miles and 600 feet.