The weather didn’t disappoint – it was out to get us from the start! But we still had a great day and it actually stopped raining during the afternoon. Good company, good riding and good food probably sums up the day as well as any other words one could write.
Members present: Chris Williamson, Louise Gagnon, Mark Waters, Steve Bethell (guest), John Child, Alex Nash, Jo Stokes, Hilary Stephenson, Laurie Mutch, Noel Boyd, Brian King & Ian ….
We took the Fishbourne car ferry from Portsmouth at 10am, so it was a relatively late start. The car park opposite the terminal cost £8 for the day. Do book the ferry online in advance to save an ‘admin charge’ which doubles the cost of a ticket – £10.20 return for senior railcard holders.
John was our noble leader and an excellent job he did too! We headed pretty much south to reach the south coast (one or two quite busy roads here) at which point we turned west to follow the coast. Lunch was taken at the pub in Brightstone, after which we had the climbs up on to Tennyson Down to contend with. We then enjoyed a break at Freshwater Bay whilst about three of us dealt with punctures acquired on the Down. The cycle path to Yarmouth followed, after which we headed back into the deep countryside bound for Cowes. Some of the gang continued straight back to Fishbourne, it being relatively late by now; those planning on staying for a bite this side of the water lingered for a spot of tea before taking the chain ferry and riding the last few miles back to Fishbourne where we enjoyed a meal at the pub by the ferry terminal.
Here’s the route we took: http://connect.garmin.com/course/6491608
Good to see the ladies taking an interest in puncture repairs whilst the men just watch!
Newtown Old Town Hall (National Trust). Where’s the town?
Tennyson Down coming up!
Peter Hackman writes…..
Chris, Sonny, John, Peter, Julian, Clive and Peter ventured to the Theatre Chocolate Shop in Windsor. Unable to resist the temptation of yet more chocolate 4 of us braved the rigours of The Chilterns to try the sister cafe in Henley.
Is it possible to overdose on chocolate?
Louise Gagnon writes…
You probably recall seeing the picture of three grinning “brand new” ride leaders in an earlier blog article dated 10 Apr 14 (in case you’ve missed it, I have re-inserted the picture below). Well, we are proud to welcome in our ranks two more who have recently qualified: Chris Williamson and Laurie Mutch.
Both come to us already well experienced in leading/monitoring group rides. Chris ride leads every Sunday with the Dorking Cycling Club while Laurie has long earned his spurs as a Marshall with the annual biggest bike race in the world (35,000 entries in 2013), the Cape Argus in Cape Town, South Africa. Their new role as ride leaders became official when our the Club Secretary Nick Davison wrote to them recently: ” I confirm that you have been registered with the CTC as a Ride Leader for CTC West Surrey. May I thank you once again for taking on this role, the importance of which cannot be over-emphasised”.
Well done gentlemen! (And apologies to Chris as we could not replicate the bright sun and 24 C of the earlier pics).
