Extra Ride....Saturday March 5

West Dean church

A last minute ride was planned on Friday for the following day. It was a cold start and we all had many layers of clothing but the weather brightened up and by the end of the ride it was still cold but the sun was shining!

We met at the start of the Centurion Way (a favourite meeting place!) at 10am - Elise, Ellie, Caroline and myself were there. We cycled along the CW met many dog walkers and a few cyclists.

As Caroline wanted cake and to sit inside to have tea  we decided to reverse the Chilgrove Ride, so we cycled along the Chilgrove Road - it wasn't too busy this morning and turned right along Hylter Lane. Here it was quite a steady climb and then a lovely free ride down the other side.

Here we turned right and took on the fairly long, but easy climb and then a lovely free ride down the other side. I think we all preferred this route to the original route.

Here's Ellie cycing down the lane and .......

oops ...and here she is on the ground!

Crossing over the Midhurst road we cycled along the quiet West Dean lanes and we popped in to the West Dean College garden centre for a lovely cup of tea and cakes. It was out first BB visit to this cafe and I have a feeling it won't be our last!

Caroline and her scone

Entrance to the West Dean College cafe and garden centre

As Ellie had problems with her front brakes we cycled back to the start along the CW. Caroline and Ellie had parked there and Elise and myself then cycled back to Tangmere.

This was a very good ride and approximate distance was 28 miles.

Looking forward to the ride next Sunday when we'll be visiting our cafe in Rowlands Castle via that steep hill!