latest news

In my opinion, yesterday provided the very best example of what it means to be involved in a Club such as West Surrey, with club members working together to put on a truly exceptional event.  The Tour of the Hills is our major event of the year, and a few weeks before the event there were a few challenges to overcome.  However, true club spirit prevailed, and the combined work of very many people enabled the Club to put on an event of which we can all be proud.  The feedback from entrants was consistently positive, not to say effusive, with one seasoned campaigner saying that it was the best Audax event that he had ever experienced. 

Don Gray was the mainstay and worked through the year, but thanks go to all those who helped in so many ways, particularly with the catering and the marshalling, both of which were considered to be quite exceptional.  I will not name names, but simply say, thank you all.

John Murdoch

As a result of very limited response, I have decided to cancel the planned Downs Link ride for tomorrow.  It will be replaced by a “normal” road ride, to make the most of the good weather and enjoy the sea breezes at Bosham.

The ride will be for both grades 3 and 4; there will be leaders for each.  If you do not wish to join Peter Hackman with his early start from Guildford (see earlier post) then you will need to get to Stansted House tea room (PO9 6DX) by 10.30/10.45.  There are various options; you may wish to drive to Stansted House (open until 6.00), or other local places such as Petersfield (the car park at Heath Pond, SU755226, is free but there is a height barrier), or take the train to Rowlands Castle and cycle to Stansted House; there will be no leader meeting the train, and you will need to get to Stansted House independently.

We plan to leave Stansted House as soon after 10.45 as possible, then cycle past Bosham and take the ferry to West Itchenor, before taking a good quality track, suitable for road bikes, to Dell Quay for lunch.  Thereafter we will take the cycle track north of Chichester to West Dean, Peter will then lead the “hard” riders back past Midhurst, and I will lead to Petersfield for those who wish to get back there.  If you have parked at Stansted House, you will need to find your own way back, so please take a map.

If you have any queries, please e-mail me this evening, or phone on 01276-681131

The planned ride this Wednesday for the grades 3 and 4 is advertised as being a mainly off road ride down the Downs Link to Shoreham.  This was suggested by a club member as providing some further variation in our programme, and with the weather set fair and looking as though it will remain hot, the section along the old railway line will no doubt provide some welcome shade.  However, I recognise that such a ride will not appeal to all, and therefore Peter Hackman has kindly arranged an alternative on road ride for the grade 4’s with coffee at Stansted House (PO9 6DX) , and thereafter via the Itchenor Ferry to Dell Quay; should be glorious but take sun screen.  Please see his e-mail for further details, or contact me direct.

It may be that no-one will favour the Downs Link ride, so if you plan to attend that one, please e-mail me (johnmatsouthview@btinternet.com) to let me know; if I get just one positive response then I will be there.

John Murdoch

The Tour of the Hills on 21st August is our major event of the year, and the one for which the support of members is essential.  One basic requirement is to have sufficient marshals to man all the required points along the route.  I therefore require volunteers for this role, please contact me as soon as you can if you are able to help, e-mailing me on johnmatsouthview@btinternet.com.  It is not necessary to have previous experience, indeed it would be nice to have wider support, perhaps from newer members, and not rely solely on those who have contributed so much over previous years.  When volunteering, please specify your preference e.g. early, late control; location – closer to Guildford or further away; the earlier you volunteer the more likely it will be that I will be able to accommodate your preferences.  Naturally, the more volunteers I receive, the lighter will be the demands on individuals.

Please support your Club – I look forward to hearing from you.

John Murdoch