This was a very good ride...long, challenging and hilly.....perfect!
There aren't many photos today as I was too busy cycling up hills!
It was cloudy and was raining lightly when we first met, however it cleared up and we actually saw blue skies by the time we reached Treyford.
This was our route and was the first time we'd cycled it, I think it worked well.....we met at our usual location, cycled through Lavant to Chilgrove and along the back lanes and came out at The Fish House - (encountering a lunatic 4x4 driver who thought he was on the M25 and not a quiet country lane - he was part of the shoot which was going on in the area). At the Fish House we turned right onto the main road and carried on along the road, up Harting Hill - which was a long slow pull to the top and then a reward of a fast run down the hill into Harting village. Here we regrouped and were so pleased with ourselves for successfully completing the Harting Hill - from both sides.
From Harting we cycled along quiet lanes to Elstead to Treyford to Didling and eventually coming out in Cocking, almost opposite our usual cafe. However, we were dissappointed to see it was closed (wih mattresses piled high in the restaurant, so it could be a while before it opens again).
Caroline offered us all some high energy sweets which helped us carry on up Cocking Hill, which seemed a great deal easier this time around - so our fitness regime looks like it's working!
A peculiar folly in Treyford....
A peculiar folly in Treyford....
We avoided the Singleton cafe as it was packed, so we went on to The Partridge for cold drinks, coffee, sticky toffee puddings and ice cream....and cheesy chips! We said goodbye to Jane as she had decided to cycle along the road back to Lavant and the rest of us cycled through Charlton and up East Dean hill, again this seemed a lot easier this time around.
A thoroughly enjoyable ride and I think we all enjoyed it! Thanks to Caroline, Jane, Angela, Sandra and Mercy for coming out today. Hope to see you all again soon.
Mileage: 35 and hilly