12. December 2025
FGCC rides in December 2025
Saturday 6th December 08.00am ride
CB. A 4 peaks ride and a home brek as no one indicated that they would be out. Cissbury, Chanctonbury, SDW across A24, back of Windlesham up and across Long Furlong and down church Hill.
Total 9 miles and 970ft
ZA road route to LA ending up at ST John’s, Findon to see the Christmas Tree festival and take refreshments there.
Total 24 miles and 700ft
Saturday 13th December 08.00am ride
CB, TK, RK, MA, JR, RT
A mostly analogue ride to the airport. Up Stable Lane, though with JR in analogue mode because his e-bike would not provide power. At the top of Stable Lane various gentlemen tried to sort out the problem but JR had to carry on with analogue up to the SDW and over to Langmead. At this point RT “had a look” and concluded that the problem was down to a poor connection, bike connectors these days not “being up to standard”. Sure enough power was restored to JR’s bike, with some claiming that RT, on analogue, had waited until the highest point of the ride before venturing this solution, a claim that he of course vigorously denied.
Demonstrating the cold weather the Arun valley was carpeted with a lake of fog.
Down the concrete road at speed to Maudlin Lane, where RT indulged in a bit of faffing only to find that the peloton had disappeared so he went via the usual route to Bramber roundabout and onto the Downslink only to find a complete absence of other riders. Meanwhile the peloton had for some strange reason decided to go on the Poynings Road rather than taking the opportunity to go off-road, but pulled up at a connection point to the Downslink at St Botolphs and RT was able to rejoin. RK had kindly waited at the top of a previous hill on the road for RT so telephonic communications were required to inform him that RT had taken another route.
Too much tarmac all the way to the A27 and then onto the new path under it to the footbridge, then round the airport to the brek and VT .
Return journey via the seafront, Grand avenue, West Worthing, Mill Lane and the gallops and the valley motorway.
Total 22 miles and 1000ft
Meanwhile Team Chaplain had a road ride to Goring and back 10 miles and 400ft
Saturday 20th December trek and family lunch at the Averys
MA led a peleton comprising PT, CB, RT, and TK up through Muntham and west along the SDW, dropping down to Burpham and Warninglid. At this point TK turned for home while the remaining four headed through Arundel and on to Edgecumbe’s for an uplifting cuppa. Dawdling a bit so as not to arrive before the appointed hour of 11:30, the route followed Littlehampton sea front and then struck north and east to darken the Avery door exactly on time. About 23 miles and 750 feet climbed.
There we were treated to a spectacular feast by Julie, Margaret, Shirley, Jo, Carl and Claire. Mark put on a masterclass of ham-carving. Matthew and Hattie brought Montie and Bea to meet their dad’s funny friends, but as ever Edie and Margot stole the show.
Saturday 27th December 08.00am ride
Chilly solo ride by Chris (red, 17.06 miles and 908 feet) over Lancing Clump to Teddy’s. John, Zachary (green, 18.7 miles and 398 feet) and Andy rode over independently by road, and Paul drove down to meet at Teddy’s:
On the way over, Chris climbed the steep way up to the trig point at Steep Down, for the view:
After a fine brek, Chris Andy and Zachary headed off for respective homes by various routes, while John expressed an intention to take a train further east and thus benefit from the easterly wind on his return ride.