The Findon Gentlemen's Cycling Club

Findon Gentlemen’s Cycling Club rides in March 2026

Saturday 7th March 08.00am Bacons Trek ‘n Brek

CB, JC, PT, TK, MA, RT with ZA on road

Morning ride after the Not-Gala Night and a respectable 7 turned out, no doubt motivated by the prospect of a Budd Bacons Brek.

Amberley loop in order to get back by around 10.30. In very sludgy ground conditions we headed up Muntham, then across to High barn and the SDW. At Rackham mount earthworks we diverted via the vineyards and then the final drop alongside the farmhouse there. Down to Amberley station, then North Stoke road and back up to Rackham to continue back to Findon via the outbound route.

A splendid brek at the Budds.

19.8 miles and 1,522ft

Friday 13th/Saturday 14th March NE passage ride

PT, JR, CB, AM, ZA, RT

A research ride had taken place on the previous Tuesday to check out the planned route as it was suggested by our Team Chaplain that soggy Weald clay might determine that going on road might be better. That day’s ride included trying to ride around Weir Wood reservoir as its website had stated that one could ride round it. The conclusion after spending more time trudging through mud and hauling heavy bikes over stiles or wiggling them through kissing gates was simply “No”. The earlier sections of the overall route did have some challenges but it was felt that it should be ridden again on the day.

Day 1. ZA, CB, RT set off from Findon to W Worthing to catch the train to Balcombe with MA on the same train somewhere having boarded at Angmering. At the destination we came across Mr Topley who had taken the train from Horsham. Meanwhile our PM, Mr Roche had driven the ESV to Pembury with bags and his steed to set off towards us on the Worth Trail.

The peloton started off on a route around Ardingly reservoir to Ardingly, then up Sheffield Road and a short very boggy section off-road parallel to the road before heading off towards West Hoathly via Hook Lane. Early on that section CB took a tumble when crossing a fallen tree. Said tree had halted the expeditionary peloton on the previous Tuesday and they had removed most of the branches from the path excepting the largest. This time RT came prepared with a small saw and turns were taken to cut the branch, most notably Mr Budd applying the most vigour in revenge of causing his fall.

TBC

Saturday 21st March 08.00am training ride

ZA, MB, TB, AM, JC, RT with JR later.

A sunny day resulted in a good turnout. AM, having been in Patois-land for a while, wanted to have a full English at Teddies, but concern was expressed at there being too many of us. MB wasn’t going to stop for brek so RT decided to join him for just a coffee/cake stop and gradually others decided to do the same leave AM/MA as the only brekkers.

Route up Cissbury and over the Steyning road after which the peloton split heading for Lancing Clump with AM taking the lower route and the rest taking a turbo assisted climb up to the trig point. On returning to the main Lancing clump route we came across a turkey on walkabouts that had also been seen on the SDW near Langmead.

On into Shoreham to deliver the two diners to Teddies, where JR joined later,  and the rest headed over the footbridge to a cafe with seats outside in the sun for coffee and cakes.

Return via the seafront, Grand Avenue, WW, TAB, Mill Lane and the Gallops. Same route for AM/MA and JR

Total 19 miles and 970ft only.

Saturday 28th March 08.00am training ride

MA, RT meeting AM at LA.

A peletwo only formed at OPG. Destination chosen was Harbour Lights at LA. With his preference for crashing through boggy conditions mudlarking Avery proposed that we ride through APE to Arundel and then over to go down Old Scotland Lane towards Walberton with a target time of 09.45 to meet AM at LA, which would require at least EMTB setting on the bikes. Only problem was that RT realised shortly into the ride that he hadn’t re-charged his bike so a bit of range anxiety increasingly developed during the ride.

Started up via the crew, but choosing the boggy horse path just after the stables on the A24 which proved to be a real bone-shaker. South and onto the Monarch’s Way and into APE in which it was necessary to weave extensively to avoid sinking into the mire. Tarmac section and on to Warningcamp, accompanied part of the way by a cyclist who had come over from Tonbridge to spot hares.

Past Arundel and onto the Ford road with a diversion into the new housing estate to see if we could get through to Priory road, but we had to double back – always worthwhile exploring whenever possible. Then onto Old Scotland Lane, which seemed fine at first but gradually got very boggy though perfect for Mr Avery who one flying through the various sections whilst RT found himself making extra use of the walk function and who was greatly relieved when we finally made tarmac.

Yapton Lane, Yapton road, the A259 and Ferry Road took us to the Harbour Lights where we found Mr Mead finishing off his first take-away coffee.

Return journey along the sea front, parting company with MA in Rustington. AM and RT then tried to remember the route that would take us across the Ferring gap ending up on the beach at the east end of South Strand. Reluctantly turning to help from the phone (much more fun meandering through lanes hoping that going in the right general direction will get you there and seeing what happens) the right route through to the rife crossing was found.

Finally Ferring, Ilex way, Sea Lane and the promenade and then Grand Avenue, W Worthing crossing, TAB, Mill Lane, Gallops, The Bostal and Findon.

Total 35 miles and 1,350ft.

Meanwhile our Team Chaplain was exploring the Staffordshire countryside with a ride in the hills either side of the river Frome. The route included a bit of exploring in Stroud (faffing or getting lost) and going up and down either side of the Severn and Thames canal.

Total 22 miles and 1,680ft

And the Flying Dane, KBS, had clearly been given a pass to go on a local ride in Vordingborg clocking up a total 17 miles and 660ft.