Sit back with a nice glass of Pimms and re-live the holiday by clicking on this link. Words to follow when time permits.
(If that link doesn’t work try this one)
Those chasing dreams rode all the way from home to the south coast and back, and well done to them – a good 100 miles probably. And not without problems either: Don broke a spoke but was saved by Petersfield Cycleworks who sold him a new wheel – and still he, William, Martin and Matt arrived before the train-assisted bunch (yours truly included) made it to coffee at Stansted House.
This is a ride eagerly anticipated by many each year. Why, you may ask? The answer is easy: we all love the Bosham Ferry crossing. And it wasn’t long before we reached it.
We weren’t entirely sure how much spray might land on our bikes during the short crossing, since it was really quite windy, but there was no need to worry – it wasn’t that bad. As you can see, it was a glorious day, if a little chilly in exposed places.
On the other side we set off again, with John Murdoch choosing an excellent route as ever. It’s nice and flat round here and we were lucky to have the wind behind us for most of the ride. After riding through Birdham Pool we soon arrived at our lunch stop, the Crown and Anchor at Dell Quay, where we enjoyed crab sandwiches and other delectables.
View from the bar
Getting to Dell Quay from Birdham Pool
Lunch
… or maybe waiting for it!
We followed the delightful Centurion Way northwards until we could go no further – unsafe tunnel, so we came off it and back on to roads, at which point the group split, some heading for Petersfield and their cars, whilst others headed homewards intent on cycling all the way. These were those who had cycled down plus one – me!
The tailwind greatly enhanced our journey homewards through Singleton, Cocking, Selham, Lodsworth, Lickfold, Wormley, Hambledon (and a welcome cuppa at the shop) after which we went our separate ways. It was a great day, all in all, and how fortunate we were to enjoy excellent weather following two days when you just wouldn’t have wanted to go riding.
Below are a few shots taken on the ride home, followed by a map showing my ride.
A reviving cuppa at the Hambledon Village Shop
To view the route in detail, please click on this link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1025387614
For its 2nd year, the Festival is co-organised with the very successful Farnham Charity Bike Ride which has grown to 1800 participants.
New free elements this year include the women’s and men’s town center road races on closed roads which will be attracting nationally, British Cycling racing licence holders.
?The event is now supported by County, District and Town Council and is set to become a major annual jamboree.?
The next G-Bug Open Meeting is at Guildford Borough Council offices at 6pm on Tuesday June 6th, all are welcome. They have two guest speakers:
Clare Rogers – Enfield Cycle Campaign
Paul Gasson – Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign
Enfield Cycle Campaign along with Enfield Borough who have recently had a government grant of £30M installed a segregated cycle route on the A105 through the centre of the Borough.
Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign have worked with the local Council in a major scheme costing £50M+ involving the villagisation of Waltham Forest by implementation of a Mini-Holland scheme where most rat runs have been closed and 20mph speed limits introduced in residential areas such that the streets now belong to the residents not the traffic. This allows safe use for cyclists and pedestrians and even creates children’s play streets!
Could this be North Street?
They will be offering their considerable experience to advise us on how we can achieve “Better Streets for Guildford”! This is not just about improving cycling infrastructure but is aimed at creating safer streets for all to use in Guildford.
Please let us know if you can come and bring as many friends and family as you can.
G-Bug – The Guildford Cycle Campaign
info@g-bug.org
Immediately following the Mayday holiday weekend, 22 of our cycling clan headed to North Wootton for four days of riding in the glorious Somerset countryside.
The first and fourth days consisted of 30-mile rides on Tuesday afternoon and Friday morning, taking in lots of lovely quiet lanes. We also took the time to visit a 13th century tithe barn in Pilton, cycled past Worthy Farm where the Glastonbury Festival is held, slithered our way through a ford and enjoyed a welcome cup of coffee and cake in Castle Cary.
Hilary leads from the front
Discussing metaphysics at a ford
Marion And The Peleton
The first full day (Wednesday) was a relaxed affair riding through the Somerset Levels and pondering the devastation caused by floods in recent years, however the area is now calm consisting of water meadows, nature reserves and peat beds. Coffee (obligatory) was taken in the city of Wells with time to visit the Cathedral, Bishop’s Palace and wander around the market listening to buskers playing Bristol shanties on violins and flutes.
Heading off across the Levels to Glastonbury lunch was taken at a roadside vegetarian cafe. The solitary attendant/cook stood firm and managed to cater for 18 hungry riders, the relaxed nature of the ride and a juggling act with a couple of plates of food where gravity won over skill lead to a prolonged stop. Glastonbury was its longstanding weird self with shops and residents having not changed since the 60’s (other than being 50 years older). Kaftans, healing crystals, long hair and dream catchers adding to the unique “appeal” of the place. Afternoon tea and back to the hotel for dinner.
Glastonbury Tor (from hotel)
The Group at the Bishops Palace
Wells Cathedral, the choir’s medieval accommodation
Wells Cathedral (interior detail)
Sculpture on Cycle Route 3
Second day dawned slightly misty and cool. A different ride to the day before as we headed North to the Mendips. The intended coffee at Wookey Hole failed to happen as we climbed up the 1:7 route taken by National Cycle Route 3. Put to shame by a lone cyclist laden with full panniers and apparently doing the End to End we, to a man/woman, walked whilst he ground out the climb in a gear not far short of going backwards.
Up into the mist and low cloud, a pause to take breath and appreciate the view back down to the Levels. Having invested the effort in the climb, the 2.5 mile run down through Cheddar Gorge made up for the pain. Taking the sweeping turns and avoiding the sheep (or are they goats?) which were unbothered by cyclists buzzing past (I topped at 36mph), we headed to the village for lunch.
Slight confusion as to which gorge cafe we were heading to some of us found an outlet called Cafe Gorge and set about devouring lovely cheese and roast pepper tarts. Following discussions at lunch, the groups split into three bunches, one heading back up the gorge, and the other two making their way down to the Levels before heading to Wookey Hole for ice creams and tea. Having regrouped, a short run back to our hotel for a shower and dinner where we were already considering what to do next year.
Riders in Cheddar Gorge
Liz and Ann demonstarting the challenging climb onto the Mendips…..
…. and the profile
Dinner at the hotel
Peter Fennemore