Saturday, February 4

A very cold day (the thermometer showed -2 degrees) but lovely blue skies. The average number of layers worn was 4, with Mercy wearing just 3 layers!

We all met at the Goodwood Hotel - Sandra, Elise, Claire, Angela, Mercy and Caroline. There were a few problems today, starting off with gear problems for Elise, she thought she might have to go home but suddenly they started working again!

We made ur way up Sculpture Park Hill, turning right along the track and down the hill into the woods. The ground was hard, icy in parts but in places very uneven, we had to be very careful.

Up one long hill, here Claire had gear problems but happily sorted them out. We crossed the main road and back into the woods, here we did a circuit (actually I got lost but I don't think they  noticed!) changing direction and down a steep hill (which was great fun) and into East Dean. I know we keep saying this but we are so lucky to live and cycle in this area...

Two pups in a field in East Dean - there's a pup in the background on the left hand side of the pic, he always likes to wear a coat, according to his owner....very sweet

From East Dean we made our way to West Dean cafe, which has just re-opened since the new year.  No major changes here, so happy with our teas, coffees and bacon butties we then set off for home. Along the back lanes and through the fields to Lavant. We seemed to get separated here with me, Elise and Claire cycling back via the estate and to the hotel but Angela, Sandra, Mercy and Caroline turned right in Lavant and Caroline and Mercy had punctures! Not a good end to the day as Mercy had to be in Winchester for 2pm, I think.

Hope you all got home / Winchester safely. Another fun ride today, even if it was cold. I'm looking forward to the snow overnight tonight!

Hope to see you all again soon - next weeks ride is a new one and should be fun.

Sunday, January 29

Another great ride today - 42 miles, lovely quiet route, plenty of hills and we found a new cafe in Petworth.....

A chilly start this morning - we all had cold feet! We met outside our usual venue, cycled up Sculpture Park Hill and on towards East Dean, turning right at the pond and made our way towards the Upwaltham road. From here we cycled on towards Duncton Hill but turning right halfway down towards Barlavington. A pretty route from here all along to Byworth - we heard quite a busy woodpecker going about his chores while we were changing Leyla's flat tyre.

We did our best to repair it but by the time we had finished our tea and cakes in Petworth it was flat again. Leyla's dad came out to collect her and took her back home.

New cafe in Petworth - Chocolate Cafe and Sugar Lounge - well worth a visit and has a good selection of cakes and chocolates.

The rest of us carried on and made our way along the Midhurst road, turning left just opposite the Halfway Bridge pub towards Selham and Ambersham. Another pretty route all along here towards Heyshott, eventually coming out on the Midhurst - Chichester road. On up Cocking Hill and turning left once we arrived in Singleton.

To end on a high note we all cycled into Charlton and up East Dean hill, we were all getting tired now and the hill seemed longer than usual. Bit of a treat to cycle down Scultpure Park hill and back to the hotel.

A great ride, thoroughly enjoyed it and so did ...Angela, Caroline, Leyla and Jane. Good to see you all and thanks for coming out. Back home for a long, relaxing bath for me!

42 miles and I arrived home at 2.30pm just in time to see the final few games of the Nadal v Djokovic final, sadly, Nadal didn't win.