This Wednesday, there is another ride for grades 3 and 4 in an area which we visit fairly infrequently. The start is at Rowlands Castle, coffee at Stansted House (where there is ample parking for those wishing to take the car), and the plan then is for both groups to cycle via Bosham to take the little Itchenor ferry (2.50 including bike). After that there is a shortish section of track round the edge of the harbour (still suitable for road bikes) with lunch at Dell Quay. I will then lead back to Stansted House for those who have left cars there. It is a great ride, not too long, but deserving of the very best weather; if it is not up to scratch, we might amend the route on the day, and leave Dell Quay to the August ride scheduled for the same area.
Right now, three of us are booked on the Bike Bus to travel to Orange on 6 September, returning 21-22 September. I am prepared to take one more, but the Bike Bus booking needs to be made soon, before it fills up on one of the journeys.
This is a moving-on, unsupported, carry-your-own-luggage tour of some of the scenic splendours of southern France. The itinerary includes Mont Ventoux, Gorges de la Nesque, Grand Canyon de Verdon (both sides), Gorges du Cian, Gorges de Daluis, Col d’Allos, Col de la Cayolle. For photos and other information see Sheila Simpson’s and Francis Cooke’s Virtual Alps website: http://www.aukadia.net/alps/south/sfa.htm
I am not offering a fully organised package holiday. We are a group of friends doing a tour together. No accommodation is being booked in advance – finding rooms in September should not be a problem. This is being done to keep the route as flexible as possible so that it can be adapted to the weather, cope with mechanical or physical problems, or extended if everything goes wonderfully well.
The outline route totals 965km, 600 miles, over 15 days cycling – 40 miles per day. A few days are mountainous, many are hilly, but you don’t need to be super-athletic provided you have low gears and can cycle uphill as slowly as me.
During a similar, but one day longer, tour in the Pyrenees last September my total spend was £1625 including all travel. Sharing a room should produce a saving of around £300 per person.
I have good maps and a fair amount of tourist information; I speak French well. Get in touch with me as soon as possible to express an interest or ask me questions. Phone: 01483 870218; email: chris@jeggo.org.uk
Fantastic scenery, good roads, excellent food and drink, sunshine, good company! What are you waiting for?
Arthur Twiggs writes ….
The Farnham Wayfarers enjoyed the good weather on Sunday with a venture into the territory of our Guildford and Woking colleagues instead of the tranquil leafy lanes of Hampshire. This was a straightforward ride to Guildford using some of the North Downs Way and the Downs Link down to Shamley Green – along with lots of families trying to interest their kids in a healthy life style.
I usually get some feed back but this time it ranged from “ooh I’ve never been through there before” to “ I blame the bloody ride leader”.
It was also a cultural event as shown by the attached photos.
No chance of the midweek ride being postponed this week, the weather looks set fair. The ride starts from Micheldever Station, if you are driving rather than travelling by train, there is a pay car park at the station, and limited free car parking fairly close. Recommended parking is in Micheldever itself, about 2/3 miles from the station at SU519392. Take the A33, turn right signposted Micheldever, and the parking is on the right as you enter the village. We will have coffee at Whitchurch, then the plan for the grade 4 ride is to head north into the hills south of Newbury, before curving back round and back via the Test Valley to Micheldever again. It is a delightful ride, on mainly quite lanes, with a mix of the hills and the lovely valley to finish. I will meet the train at the station at 10.10
and lead to coffee.
and lead to coffee.
Nick Davison writes….
Watched Bear Grylls’ TV show The Island and wondered if you’ve got what it takes to survive the toughest of environments?
Here’s your chance to gain an insight into the mind of one man who’s proven time and time again he can go the distance…
This June, soak up the exhilarating tales of extreme endurance adventurer and history-maker Sean Conway. You might just find yourself packing your bag for your own big challenge!
With a quirky take on extreme sports and challenges, Sean’s adventures have varied from climbing Kilimanjaro dressed as a penguin, to cycling 16,000 miles through 6 continents in 116 days (most of which was done with a fractured spine after getting run over by a truck in America). To top it all off, he recently made the record books by becoming the first person in history to swim the length of Britain!
Sean’s never-give-up attitude and gripping stories are capturing the imagination of thousands. Catch him while he’s back on dry land for this inspiring talk on setting your goals high, challenging yourself and overcoming tough times.
Sean Conway
Fri 20 June, 8pm
£13; pre-show pizza & ticket £17.50
Book online
