The Findon Gentlemen's Cycling Club

FGCC rides in August 2026

Saturday 1st August 08.00am ride

DC awaited PT, MA, TK and ZA at OPG and after due consideration a route to Arundel was settled on, since MA had a noon appointment in Worthing.  The Peleton climbed School Hill, braving unscathed the swarms of flies that inhabit its upper reaches, and after a suitable period of delaying the traffic, set off across the field to the right of Long Furlong.  Passing the Roche collarbone emeorial and the gun club, the pelefive joined the SDW and made good time to Kithurst Hill.

The 2.9 mile descent to Burpham, which at least PT achieved with no pedalling at all, was fast and dusty.

All arrived safely chez Erica at the Moat House for a fine brek.

The return leg was up to Crossbush and east along the old A27, then into the APE woods, with MA and DC peeling off at intervals to head south for Worthing.  The surviving pelethree arrived at the corner of Long Furlong to find the track behind the pumping station has been much gentrified and gravelled.  Up to the Monarch’s way then over to Tolmare farm.  Crossing the road, we climbed Church Hill for a descent to Roger’s farm and back to the village.  PT covered 19.57 miles and climbed 1639 feet.  DC’s strava recorded 24.97 miles and 1519 feet.  MA’s strava had sunstroke, and was delirious.

Meanwhile in Vordingborg, the Flying Dane was out and about, covering 17 miles and climbing 700 feet (must have jumped up the kerb!)

Saturday 8th August Nepcroft trek and bacons + sausages baps.

MA, JC, JR, ZA, TK, AM, RT + Philip

4 peaks ride starting up Nepcote Lane to Cissbury then straight on and north up to Langmead at which point RT + Philip returned to Nepcroft via the outward route. The peloton continued on the SDW to Chanctonbury, down to the A24, up to the High barn, south towards Tolmere and then back to the village and Nepcroft via the field.

Total 11.5ish miles and 126o feet for the peleton, and a bit further for MA with his usual ride to and from Angmering for a total of  27 miles and 2,800ft.

Meanwhile in Denmark KBS took one of his regular routes for a total of 18 miles and 700ft:

Saturday 15th August 08.00am ride

Solo Findon ride for Team Chaplain, ZA.

Write-up from ZA:

With other Gentlemen being variously dispersed or otherwise let/hindered, it fell to yrs truly to maintain the long tradition of FGCC Saturday rides: this I did by following a route favoured/pioneered by Mr Mark Avery … heading N out of Findon via footpath, e side of A24, circumnavigating CHALK via permissive byway, passing by Washington church and following bridleways along the foot of the Downs, via Sullington church to join lane from Storrington up towards Chantry Post. Shortly before CP, turning R up towards Trig Pt atop Kithurst Hill. Here I encountered a couple enthusiastically photographing butterflies – one of them was pleased to have snapped a pr of sparring Wall Browns …

From Kithurst I crossed SDW heading for field where once was the WWll tank – formerly an FGCC Brek venue 🍳🥓 Crossing the fields with distant views of Arundel Castle, and enjoying that wonderful descent running beside the Gallops, I came into the W end of Angmering Pk Woods, before turning S nr Blakehurst to cross the A 27, heading for Poling. thence bridleway W to Lyminster, and from there down into Littlehampton.

Harbour Lights was extra busy with the Sompting Morris Men & Women about to strut their stuff as a fundraiser for the RNLI. Rather than join the long queue I decided to continue on to Sea Lane, Rustington to visit friends from SSP&P Church who kindly provided coffee & toast.

Having made my way through the Sea Estate and onto the cycle path passing Asda, I headed up Hangleton Lane onto Highdown, descended to cross Titnore Lane, through the recently constructed housing development whose roads are all named after flowers to emerge s of the A27 nr the Coach and Horses pub. From there I ascended Cote St, rode along Honeysuckle Lane, came down Church hill to cross A24 nr the Black Horse, and back to Cherry Cottage via Steep Lane and Nepcote Lane,

Total 28 miles and 1,840ft

And a solo ride in Italy for CB. 14 miles and 1,600 ft

Saturday 22nd August 08.00am ride

As many Gentlemen were dispersed abroad to divers lands representing the FGCC , a peleton of three assembled at OPG (which should rightly be called OPB* these days) and resolved to tackle Church Hill and Holt lane, then climb over Highdown to break our fast at the Ferring Country park:

Returning home via the Ilex Way and seafront in relaxed fashion, the only incident of note was ZA falling slowly into a spring-loaded traffic bollard on the island at the bottom of Grand Avenue.  In the resilient manner with which the CCTV treats all of life’s slings and arrows, the elastic nature of the bollard sprang him back upright in a trice.  So fast was his Weeble-like return to rectitude, no photographic record of the event could be made.  There will no doubt be a general clamour for a re-enactment, so that the annals may be duly completed with an image reminiscent of the occasion.

The peleton completed 15 miles, climbing 704 feet.

*OPB – Old Pond Brown

Saturday 29th August 08.00am ride

MA (blue), and ZA and RT (red) completed a soggy circuit:

MA arrived at OPG with gashes to his leg from a slide on the greasy chalk on Church Hill, such conditions having been forgotten during the long dry spell this year.

Bluebird Cafe selected as the destination for the morning and table booked. The route started by heading to Chantry Lane car park via the field by Long Furlong. Light rain mostly during this section and the drop to Lee Farm. Up to the trig point and on to the Dane’s “vroom” route through the woods to the west end of APE during which time the rain started getting heavier and didn’t really stop for the rest of the ride to the brek.

Then down to Dover Lane, across and along the A27 and into Angmering at which point MA decided to return home as his leg was starting to complain following the earlier accident.

Due to the unceasing rain the peletwo decided to take road route to the Bluebird, through Angmering, down and along the A259 and into Ferring and to take a lake into the cafe with our soaked clothing.

Return route through the Channel Island roads to Sea Lane, up and along Ilex way to Goring, up to Mulberry road and through the tunnel and then continuing north to Cotswold road and up to and across the A27. Finally up Mill Lane and along the Gallops to Roger’s Farm (route partially blocked by fallen hedge) and into Findon for a bike washing session at Nepcroft – first bike wash for several months.

Total 22 miles and 1,120 ft.

Meanwhile in Italy CB was out and about, covering 16 miles and 1800 feet: