Fri 21 Sep 2007 Reg 14 – PMed by CB

MA JR RT PT CB KB-S and EN with LSV for dinner and brek. After Tea and Doughnuts at Roche Towers, depart at 2:45ish to climb up Long Furlong, then right at Tolmare. Roche memorial retouched and photographed as the peleton passed along Collarbone Alley. Toby’s Stone atop Bignor Hill has been restored after a decline from vandalism over recent years. No walking up any of the hills (that’s Bury, Bignor and the climb up Littleton Down), for the first time in anyone’s recollection. Budd memorial repainted and recorded, as new fence has been erected at the site.).

Peleton arrived at Blue Bell at 6pm, and in the absence of the LSV repaired to the Greyhound (northward a mile or so) for rehydration until joined by EN. Sue and Steve (the new folk at Moonlight Cottage, aka Reg’s) made MA RT KB-S and JR welcome, while Janet and Malcolm provided excellent hospitality to PT, CB and EN at the B&B opposite Ruth’s. Excellent dinner at the Greyhound, with taxi return by MA to deliver drinkers to their digs (v much appreciated).

Sat 22 Return from Reg

Return leg over to Singleton then left at East Dean to Forrestry Commission site at Droke, then stiff climb up through forest to Selhurst Park. East along road and then take bridleway to end up at Whiteways lodge for tea, after PT and JR have punctures on final climb. Over the bridge at Amberley and complete the return along the Amberley loop. Last post from above Muntham thwarted, despite dry conditions, by barbed wire at gun club gate. Discussion of Reg 15 as a Gala occasion, at Moonlight Cottage, on 19 September 2008. Evening meals are now available at MC, wines to be negotiated.

Fri/Sun 10/11/12  August 2007, organised by RT

Friday

PT collects MA from No 10, JR from Offington Roundabout, and ZA from McDonalds carpark at Crossbush, then proceed to Brockenhust to park in the station car park. 20 mile circular tour to Lyndhurst via tracks to east of main road, returning to Brockenhurst after picnic lunch stop via circular loop west of main road.  RT arrives with FL and CB, and all proceed to Lymington with PT towing his and JR’s luggage on trailer.  Embark on ferry, waving ZA farewell as he catches train home.  Tea, and bickies from RT, on ferry.  Proceed to High Down Hotel, now with JR towing trailer.  Arrive 7 ish with 31 miles for the day.

Saturday

All set off to climb to Needles Old Battery, then up to Tennyson memorial for stop, then downhill plummet to Freshwater, where swim/tea debate is resolved in favour of tea.  Visit keys memorial, for repaint while golf progresses.  Climb up to Tennyson trail, then down to road passing three girls.  Stop at road, where RT distributes KMC to all (including said three girls), and depart to climb next hill.  One girl passes PT, having given him a five-minute start, remarking that the KMC has “kicked in” nicely.  PT goes straight on instead of turning left at top, so all follow for downhill to road, where we turn north for Carisbrooke, stopping at Eight Bells for sandwich lunch and rehydration, JR and MA skipping lunch to head off to Ryde for the ferry (made 2:15 ferry in smart time).  Remaining four take detour to Halfords to pump up CB’s front shock, then to White Mountain for brake pads for FL.  Spell on road then path north along the Medina to Cowes, to thread through crowds at Cowes week.  Coastal path round Gurnard, but path closed due to erosion and we are diverted by road to Rew Street to take footpath (with stiles, corrugations, brambles etc) towards beach at Sticeletts Farm.  After a spell along the beach we climbed up into a mobile home holiday camp, and eventually escaped by finding the concealed entrance to the coastal path through a hedge.  Over stiles, past wrecked cars, and eventually hit the road again and turn right for Porchfield.  Past a tandem parked by the road with a sign “free to a good home”, but unable to take advantage!  Pass through Shalfleet and Wellow. Refuel stop at Thorley, scones courtesy FL, then continue by road via Wilmingham to turn right on to track leading to the disused railway from Yarmouth to Freshwater.  Down railway, right at end then left at Garage to long climb up to High Down.  42 miles for the day.

MA writes “John and I set a blistering pace from the usual haunt in Carisbrooke and reached Ryde pierhead at 14:00 (Lance Armstrong eat your heart out…) and said goodbye to the island on a ferry shortly thereafter and with only one officious  “jobs worth” train company employee to mar the journey, arrived back in the Worthing environs at about 16:30.”.

Sunday

Uphill out of pub with FL towing his and PT’s gear on trailer, to retrace yesterday’s route to the disused rly, then retrace Fridays route to ferry, with a cash stop in Yarmouth.  Tea on ferry, then by A337 road out of Lymington, fork right towards Boldre, continue to Sandy Down then take track north to Roydon Manor and Brockenhurst.  Only one spill, when trailer hit root and flipped over.  PT loaded up the van and went home, having done 83 miles in total, while RT CB and FL left gear in RT’s car and went for a circular tour in the forest.  Details to be sought from RT.

RT writes “For the record, Messrs. Budd, Leroux and yours truly initially intended to take one of the trails leading North and slightly east out of Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst and back down to Brockenhurst for about an hours’s ride. Unfortunately we missed the relevant path, and instead took the road past the Rhinefield Park Hotel (the one where you want to take afternoon tea) and into the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, continuing along it across the A35. Around a mile beyond we took a left turn, with the intention of taking a right and left to catch a trail that leads down to Burley. Took the right turn early, and realising that we had made a mistake, we had to continue because M Leroux had insisted on dashing on ahead. Eventually got onto the right trail and rode down into Burley. Had a pint in the usual location and then rode back to Brockenhurst along the old railway line, the one hour excursion finally taking around two and a half hours.”.

January 2007
Sat 6          7.30am Saturday ride Brek at Steyning
RT JR PT KB-S – grey and rainy, up to Cissbury car park, up towards Chanctonbury, east toward Langmead then north into the woods to descend into Steyning via Mouse lane.  Brek at Truffles, then past Bunces and up Steyning road to Langmead, SDW to Chanctonbury and back via Cissbury. 11.7 miles.
 
Sat 13        7.30am Saturday ride The Amberley Loop
RT PT MA ZA – overcast and with the wind blowing from the south, the peleton rode up through Muntham to the SDW, past Chantry car park to find a sheltered spot to replace PT’s front inner tube, after a struggle to remove the tyre.  ZA returns to Findon along SDW from there, needing to be in Eastbourne by lunch.  RT PT and MA continue down Amberley mount on the SDW, to find the Riverside tea rooms closed.  Turning south, we regain the SDW via South Stoke, being helped up the hill by the wind at the last climb.  MA battles bravely with knee pain. 17.5 miles 
 
Sat 20        7.30am Saturday ride Burpham
KB-S, RT and PT set off in strong wind and rain to climb to the SDW via Muntham, and from there to the top of Chantry Hill.  Turning south, the descent was into the wind, and pedalling had to continue.  Reaching the road at Burpham, we mended RT’s puncture and continued to Warninglid, whereupon the sunshine broke through.  We returned via the Angmering Park estate, Patching and Clapham. From Clapham church we took to the woods to reach the top of Church hill and down to Long Furlong at Tolmare, where KB-s broke for home.  PT and RT continue to Nepcroft for illicit bike hosing and bacon sarnies.  18.5 miles
 
Sat 27       7.30am Trek’n’Henfield
KB-S, MA, JR, ZA, RT and PT met in sunshine to leave at 7:55ish.  Up and over Cissbury to the Steyning Road, along towards Langmead and down the Bowl by the concrete road, with a stop for RT to repaint the memorial, and a recitation of the Memoriam Post Disequilibrium.  PT got lost at the Bramber Castle roundabout, and went through the town and over the Adur.  After regrouping at the playing field, we climbed over Golding Hill to the road and continued to Henfield on the tarmac.  A fine brek at Truffles, then down to the Downslink and back to Steyning.  Climbed over the downs by ascending Steyning Bostal to Langmead, then SDW to Cissbury and south to enter Findon via Stable Lane.  KB-S sets off for |Tolmare, JR to Tudor close, and the rest to Nepcroft for bike hosing down, and brake pad lessons for ZA.  22 miles in all, mostly after brek! 
 
February 2007 

Sat  3         7.30am Saturday ride The Amberley Loop
KB-S FL RT and PT set off in bright sunshine through the frosty morning to climb up to the SDW via Muntham, then over to Amberley to discover the tea rooms closed again.  Returning via South Stoke, we took a southerly detour to add an extra little climb, by forking right at the farm gate on the return climb.  Regaining the SDW, back to the barn and Muntham, then Collarbone Alley to leave KB-S at Tolmare, the other three returning to Findon down the Furlong.  All back to Nepcroft for tea and doughnuts.  17.6 miles, so Kim’s diversion added only 0.1 of a mile!
 
Sat  10      7.30am Trek’n’brek   AM First fixed Mark’s puncture, then MA RT KB-S AM FL ZA and PT (new cleated shoes and pedals) climbed up through Muntham to the SDW, visited the tank, and retraced the route to brek at Meadie Towers, with guest waitresses Margaret and Julie.  Grey, overcast and raining.  10 miles
 
Sat  17      7.30am Trek’n’Henfield
MA FL RT PT. Fitted new saddle to MA’s machine, and set off at 07:55 up Stable lane to SDW and Langmead.  Turn left to reach road for descent into Steyning, then over bypass on bridge to Downslink.  Fix PT’s puncture at bridge just short of Henfield, then on to Truffles (arr 09:20, 11.2 miles) for their £3.50 brek, for four of which they charged £11.20.  Back down Downslink, to Bramber roundabout then south to Annington to climb up SDW back to Langmead, round Bloody Norse corner, and turn south before Chanctonbury to return down Stable Lane, arrive 12:00.  24 miles at finish, sunny and clear.
 
Sat  24      7.30am Trek ‘n brek – MA
MA AM RT JR FL PT climbed Cissbury and continued to the Steyning Road.  Carrying straight on we encountered mud, ruts and wind but eventually circled behind Lancing Clump to descend by the College.  Crossing the A27 at the lights, we skirted east of the airfield and returned along the beach to No 10, where EN joined us to partake of a bumper brek prepared by Julie and kicked off with kedgeree.  16 miles round, with PT and MA starting from No 10, the rest starting from the Square. Overcast but not raining.
 
March 2007
 
Sat  3         7.30am Trek’n’Henfield
PT RT JR MA set off at 07:45 up Stable lane to SDW and Langmead.  Turn left to reach road for descent into Steyning, then over bypass on bridge to Downslink.  Arrived at Truffles 09:00 for their £3.50 brek with added teapot and cafetiere.  Back down Downslink, then up concrete road to Langmead, take SDW towards Chanctonbury to return down Stable Lane.  22 miles at finish, sunny and clear.
 
Sat  10      PT RT MA to France – MA buys new bike chez Didier Hermel in Audricq.  Invitation to trek’n’brek french style in forest near there on Pentecost Monday 
 
Sat  17      7.30am Trek ‘n brek – RT
PT RT MA JR FL ZA – The 4 peaks.  PT and MA on new bikes, JR on PT’s  (now JR’s) Rockhopper.  PT collects JR in Findon, and proceeda to No 10.  PT MA and JR ride from No 10 to the Square on road.  Ride up Church Hill, pursued by a horse, and over to JR’s memorial on Collarbone Alley for  repaint job and recitation of the Requiem post Desequilibrium.  Then North to the SDW by the silver barn (cutting the corner a bit) and down East to the A24.  Cross A24 and climb up to Chanctonbury – example of TEMKEK as bloke rides by with girlfriend running along beside in case puncture needs repair.  Last post attempt against southerly wind fails, so continue to Cissbury car park and down to Nepcroft for a super brek with Carole.  PT and MA then ride back to MA’s on road. 19.5 miles
 
Fri 23         Downslink ride – JR
ZA, CB, KB-S, FL, PT, MA, JR and Surrey Dave.  Depart 14:15 arr Southwater 16:20. sign says open, girl says closed. No tea.  Saddle up and push on to Cranleigh for chips (with Police escort) and leave Kim’s glasses in chippie.  Arrive Mrs Deeks 19.45ish.  EN and AP join at Mrs Deeks.  Excellent dinner at Seahorse despite lack of cheese & port – we were 10 of the 15 customers for the night (food orders till 9:30!).  36.5 miles ¨
 

Sat 24       Return from Downslink ride
Chinthurst hill – then to Cranleigh to retrieve KB-Ss glasses form the chip shop.  RT Meets us at Baynards, having left Findon at 08:00 – tea and buns at Southwater (baked Jacket and beanz for Adam!) – mend puncture for kiddie and PT simultaneously – PT JR and Surrey Dave leapfrog peloton at Steyning, regroup at base of Llama Lane – MA rides up.  74.5 miles total, so 38 miles today for us, 57 for RT!!
 
Sat 31        7.30am Saturday ride The Amberley Loop
RT PT KBS FL – overcast and with the wind blowing from the north, the peleton rode up through Muntham to the SDW, past Chantry car park and on to Amberley mount on the SDW, descending to again find the Riverside tea rooms closed.  Turning south, we regain the SDW via South Stoke, up the hill into the wind at the last climb.  Return via Collarbone Alley to leave KBS at Tolmare and descend Long Furlong to Findon. 16.6 miles
 
April 2007
 
Sat  7         7.30am Trek’n’Henfield
RT PT JR KBS Phillip T. Set off at 07:45 up Stable lane to SDW and Langmead.  Admire view over mist in Weald.  Descend concrete road then to castle roundabout and up Castle Lane to Downslink.  Arrive at Truffles at 09:10 for their £3.50 brek.  Back down Downslink, to Bramber roundabout then south to Annington to climb up SDW back to Langmead, turn south before Chanctonbury to return with a last post by RT PT and KBS from the junction down Stable Lane, arrive 12:00.  23.73 miles at finish, sunny and clear.
 

Sat 14       7.30am Trek ‘n brek – CB – Cote Street
CB PT RT JR KB-S and FL climb up church hill to descend through mud-free and bluebell carpeted Clapham woods to the A27, turn left and climb back up Cote Street.  Right turn at the top of Cote street takes us to Salvington, left on to potholey road and through car park into woods.  Follow KB-S along tricky path through woods to emerge on track by Salvington mast.  Cross Long furlong at Tolmare, and take Collarbone lane to Muntham and A24 back to Findon.  EN joins for fine brek chez CB, with spreadable turkish delight from Fortnum’s.  9.3 miles.
 
Sat 21        7.30am Saturday ride
FL and KB-S do Clapham Woods and Angmering Park, among the bluebells.  FL breaks rib.  Mrs Leroux expresses her view by telephone, forcefully.
PT goes for short ride though local woods, back by 07:15!
 
Sun 22       London Marathon – CB
 
Mon 23^rd – Sat 28^th  C2C ride – PT
 
May 2007 
 
Sat  5         7.30am Saturday ride
MA RT FL KB-S and PT climb Church Hill and revisit Clapham Woods for RT to mark the spot where FL broke a rib.  Down to A27/A281 junction, back along A27 and up the farm rack into Clapham Woods, returning to Findon via Church Hill after leaving KB-S to return to Rose’s cooking.  Remove barbed wire from RT’s rear tyre at Roger’s Farm.  7 miles, under cloud
 
Fri   11       Ride to Streat (Nick Way Ride) – PT
MA ZA RT FL KB-S PT JR EN – Depart Findon 2:15 and pull into North Acres at 5:45.  ZA stays to dine then drives home, after taxi duty to get us all to the pub.  Back via traditional route, up llama lane.
 
Sat  12      Return from Streat 
 
Sat  19       7.30am Saturday ride
KB-S, FL MA and RT trip to the tank, after MA rides up from the beach.  Following tea at Nepcroft, MA returns home via Cissbury, Lancing and Shoreham.
 

Sat  26      7.30am  Lingalonga
PT, RT, JR, CB and FL climb over Cissbury to the Steyning road, and proceed on to Lancing college and cross the A27 to take the old footbridge over the Adur.  Following the Downslink southwards to a dead end, after a backtrack the Adur is re-crossed via the road bridge.  South at the petrol station roundabout leads us to the beach, and w follow the coastal cycle path (allegedly opened officially today) towards Worthing.  Cutting North over Ham Bridge, we cross Broadwater green, pass the Offington Park Club and head up through the Valley to a fine brek at the Lingalonga, courtesy of Mr Roche.  FL sadly declines the brek as Mrs L wants him back early, to assist in taking the family on holiday to Rome.  After brek, all return to Findon via Cross lane.  Overcast, with rain starting just as we reach home.  16.02 miles.
 
June 2007

Friday 4th May 2.20pm. Group of 6 riders – Paul Topley, Zachary Allen, John Roche, Kim Bang-Sorensen, Francois Leroux and Richard Thomas – set off from Tudor Close in Findon Village. A little late, but not surprising with the plentiful supply of tea on offer from the Roche residence. Wet weather gear (which had been specially acquired for the C2C ride but had proven to not be required) was donned by most in view of the depressing conditions and light rain.

Route took us up Cissbury and straight on over towards the Steyning Road. At the top of the first hill we marvelled at the speed already being achieved following recent rides and our greatly improved levels of fitness. Wet weather gear generally removed following this exertion as it was proving wetter inside than out, only to have bared legs attacked by a bed of nettles that could not be avoided.

Onto the Steyning road and then down the concrete road in the Steyning bowl – an excellent adrenalin rush resulting in maximum speeds of over 40mph. However this indulgence prevented us from attending to the memorial at the bottom that had been the result of an achievement of 48mph and a sudden stop a few years ago.

Next across the river Adur and up Truleigh Hill. For once the whole group cycled all the way up, PT not stopping at all until the very top, though needless to say that the Dane got there in about half the time of the rest. A banana and sweet stop to re-energise and then off again.

The Nick Way memorial was reached at around 4.00pm, and its annual refurbishment was followed by the FGCC ode to the fallen – requiem post disequilibrium – though two passing walkers seemed a little confused by the occasion.

Past Devil’s Dyke and on to Nyetimber, where again a record was achieved with everyone being able to cycle all the way up, albeit a little slower this time. Time to stop and admire the scenery and comment on our luck with the weather during the ride.

On past the golf club at …… at which stage we seemed to encounter riders on an organised SDW ride. RT came across a rather unhappy rider who was walking his steed due to a puncture. FGCC team got into action and fixed the tyre, jokingly commenting that we hoped he could afford the bill that was being produced by Mr Roche, who was in fact sending yet another email on his PDA. A tenner was produced, but swiftly refused – we are the FGCC after all.

Then on to the Beacon where the rain started, with wet weather gear again being donned. A speedy and very wet descent to Streat, where we were granted another warm welcome by our hosts at North Acres, Valerie and John Eastwood, arriving at 6.00pm. Such a fast ride that for once we even arrived in advance of our LSV, Mr Ewart Nightingale.

An excellent B&B, but it has sadly had to close since then due to bureaucracy over fire regulations and competitive interests claiming that it was a hotel.

A great evening at The Winning Post pub in Plumpton Green, followed by a 2 mile stagger back through the unlit bridleway, but with no incidents of any note.

A proper full English Breakfast provided by our hosts accompanied by discussions varying from the state of our nation to the sadness of those who want punch and judy shows to be politically correct, and from culling of grey squirrels to the creation of weblogs – hence the FGCCblog (thank you John). Who wants to stay in a plastic hotel chain when you have such a great combination of entertainment and accomodation.

The return journey was a generally uneventful road ride along the north side of the south downs. One exception was the losing of the two continentals when the testosterone got too much and they insisted on chasing after two ladies on road bikes! Will they ever learn? The other exception was caused by the Dane taking us on yet another route that resulted in major injury to RT. Fortunately his camera survived, resulting in a fine picture of a fence.

Arrived back in Findon at 2.00pm, all agreed that it had been a particularly enjoyable ride. Thanks to Paul Topley for all the organisation.

Oh, once again a fantastic ride to Streat with all the trimmings: Truleigh Hiil, New Timber Hill, North Acres, Winning Post. And on the ride home we also saw the first shot from the world’s only downhill singletrack photographer. Unfortunately, the result didn’t live up to the otherwise good view and position from a bike. Have a look yourselves.

The Flying Dane

Gentlemen,

Just to let you know that the website has been updated to include a link to North Acres, with a 5 llama rating – I trust you all agree. To get to the link you need to go via the LSV Directorate page.

Welcome to the weblog for the Findon Gentlemens’ Cycling Club.
The blog pages report on all the rides for each month, with separate pages for each of the major event rides.
We are pleased to receive your contributions to the blog.