Wednesday Wanders & Other Rides

Another Wednesday Wander ~ 1st July 2026

Eleven riders appeared at Sheet Green to embark on a journey to the Hogmoor Inclosure. We travelled in two groups along the A3 cycle path and onto the old A325 to West Liss, where we picked up the next section of the A3 cycle path to the Ham Barn Roundabout. From here we made our way through Greatham and then onto the path skirting the Longmoor Ranges. We turned off the path to go down the lane to Backmoor and then onto Drift Road that took us to the outskirts of Whitehill. After travelling down a lane towards the Hogmoor Inclosure some heavy lifting ensued to get the bikes over or through the barriers at the end of the lane. Once we were all into the Inclosure we found the paths that took us an interesting way to the Cafe, where we had refreshments and a natter. The return journey was more interesting as the second group found themselves in front of the first group! Once the proper order was restored the two groups came back through Whitehill, the Longmoor Ranges path, Greatham, Liss Forest, Liss, and back to to Sheet. Not to be outdone, the second group by-passed Liss Forest and went down the old railway line path to Liss and then back to Sheet. A splendid ride, good weather and it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) : good company. Many thanks to Chris & Sue (with helmet) for leading the second group and to Rodney and Graham for being the backmarkers, also not forgetting Miranda for her guest appearance at the Hogmoor Cafe!

Harbour & Sea Ride ~ 26th June 2026

A delightful day was enjoyed despite the threatened high temperature, at The Witterings it only reached 23 degrees with a cooling SW breeze. Leaving our start point we called into the Appledram Centre for cooling drinks, back onto The Salterns Way, through the marina lock gates to BIrdham Pool, then Westlands to join farm tracks to Shipton Green, a run past the 'eyebrow' houses of Itchenor to the the track to West Wittering, through the village & onto East Wittering to our lunch stop at the Shore Inn, where clutching a cool drink we raised a toast to the memory of Eric Skipper our groups founder. Turning for return we cycled along the strangely named Piggery Hall lane to re-join the Salterns Way & our return to Fishbourne. We were fortunate not be fried by the weather & thus ensued a very enjoyable day

Wednesday Wight Wander ~ a Trip of a Lifetime! 24th June 2026

With the annual Isle of Wight ride being postponed, four gallant cyclists gathered together at Portsmouth Harbour to travel to Ryde to start the traditional route. We travelled through the shady path to Quarr Abbey for refreshments and hydration in the warm weather. We then continued on to East Cowes and the floating bridge. Our thoughts moved onto lunch and the delights on offer at The Bargemans Rest. Instead of a Big Mac, Barry picked up some tarmac whilst passing a maintenance team on the old railway line between Cowes and Newport. The maintenance team did assist in getting Barry unstuck, after this unusual incident we arrived at the Bargemans Rest for a well earned lunch and liquid replacement. Having had the delay we decided to head back to Ryde, having been given directions from a local. All the best plans can be scuppered, as they were by a cycle path closure. Overcoming this, John led us back to Fishbourne and onto the path passing Quarr Abbey and back to the ferry at Ryde. Apart from the heat, it was a good, enjoyable day out. Many thanks to John for the gallons of water, Anne for the hydration tablet and Barry for the wet scarf (that might sound funny but it was very effective at keeping me cool). Also another thanks to Anne, Barry and John for their company making a very memorable day.

And Another Chocolate Cake Ride ? ~ 17th June 2026

An ensemble of fourteen riders left the causeway layby and headed off towards QEP, passing through and up to The Hampshire Hog, almost, and then down to Clanfield before the ascent to the Southdown's Way ridge and onto the Sustainability Centre for refreshments,

Our esteemed leader (really?) had a puncture, cause unknown and unfound, the replacement innertube lasted a short while on the return journey. The main party were encouraged to carry on and all arrived safely at the starting point. Thanks should go to Paul and Trevor for leading the second and third groups and their respective back markers. Thanks too to Trevor and Chris B for help with the puncture repair.

An eventful outing for some and an enjoyable one, hopefully, for all.

Another Wednesday Wander ~ 10th June 2026

Our wander today took twelve riders up through Nursted Rocks in two groups, where we paused part way up to let the trailing traffic get past. The first group only held up eight cars, whilst the second group accumulated sixteen! We wended our way through the lanes in the sunshine, passing Quebec and the lovely view across the valley. We journeyed on down the lane waving to the deer at Sky Park Farm and onto the Durleighmarsh Tea Barn for refreshments. Once replete we travelled back in the sunshine looking at the big black cloud coming in from the West. It didn't rain, unlike last week, and we all returned safely and dry. Thanks to Brian for leading the second group and to the back markers, all in all a splendid morning jaunt.

Wednesday Wander ~ 3rd June 2026

Eleven riders mustered at Sheet Green hoping the weather would be kind and not as the forecast had predicted. We set off in two groups to Liss and on towards Rake. In between we picked up another rider who was waiting patiently for us and unfortunately we lost one of our number as a slow puncture curtailed the adventure. The promised rain slowly increased in intensity as we approached Milland, where refreshments were enjoyed in cramped circumstances. As we were leaving the heavens opened up, but being hardy souls we soldiered on up and through Borden Wood, onto Hillbrow and then back to our starting place. Many thanks to all our members who enjoyed our wet adventure, especially the backmarkers Barry, Trevor and Julia and to Daph as the leader of the second group.

Tuesday Toddle ~ 26th May 2026

Well this could almost be titled "Ten Green Bottles" as the intended participants grew quickly despite the warning of the climb UP Kiln Lane. In the event the forecasted excessive heat resulted in a number withdrawing for valid health and safety concerns. So 4 of us equipped with electrical power enjoyed the climb and waited but only a short while for Rodney, the only one on a naturally aspirated machine, to join us. The gentle run down to Finchdean was enhanced by shade and then more open sun through Rowlands Castle and , via quiet lanes, to Crookley Park. Jenny & Greg retired inside for the break so I cannot comment on their refreshments but the rest of enjoyed delicious cakes on the terrace. A run out on the old A3 from Horndean, with a cycle path led us to the Hampshire Hog where it was agreed that the leader and Audrey would leave the group to return to the starting point, climbing the Butser Gap via QECP. Temperature of 31.5 recorded up the road at Kew.

Along the flightline ~ 22nd May 2026

Nine of us headed through East Lavant & on to the Goodwood estate, past the house to the Waterbeach side, through Boxgrove, to our coffee stop at Tangmere Aviation Museum, sadly things were not so efficient as on previous occasions. Using the cycleway across to Oving, we headed to Nyton, at Eastergate/Fontwell Avenue we were bedevilled by road works & traffic volumes, eventually we accessed Eastergate Lane to head to our lunch stop at Walberton, like other pubs in the vicinity things seem up for change at The Holly Tree, but eventually our food arrived & was generally enjoyed by all. To avoid the outward traffic snarl we headed down the Barnham cycleway to give a more pleasant ride back to Eastergate, leading to Easthampnett & the bridge back on the A27 to our outward route, hoping for ice creams on this glorious afternoon we diverted to the Goodwood Farm shop in anticipation, but other than a fine display of Goodwood Farm meat & their organic milk machine there was not an icicle in sight. We arrived back at out starting point with 24.5 miles each under our belts. With thanks for everyone's company & Sue for leading the second group, I think we can say an enjoyable time was had by all. Brian

Wednesday Wander to Crookley Park ~ 20th May 2026

Five jolly cyclists met in at the Causeway Layby and set off in the sunshine up through QEP , down, through and then under the A3 for another climb up towards the Hampshire Hog. Then we had a nice drop down hill into Chalton and then onto another climb up towards Blendworth and Crookley Park, formerly known as Blendworth Fabrics, and their Cafe for refreshments, where we were met by Philip. Now a group of six, we headed homewards via quiet country lanes to Finchdean, on through Idsworth, into New Barn Lane, where we said goodbye to Philip and Audrey. We proceeded along New Barn Lane and then down Kiln Lane into Buriton.before returning to our starting point. A round trip of 17 miles was enjoyed by all.

Another Hilly Wednesday Wander ~ 6th May 2026

Thirteen enthusiastic riders gathered in the Causeway layby and set off in three groups towards the Old Dairy at Privett, avoiding the potholes in the Ramsdean Road and other places along the way. After two challenging hill climbs we arrived at the Old Dairy for well earned refreshments. Being replete we set off back to the starting point via Burleigh, East Meon and Frogmore. A big thank you to Rodney, Sue, Paul, Lynda and not forgetting Deanna, in her orange jacket; for leading and back marking duties in the various groups. Thank you to all riders for their company on the ride and at the Old Dairy, it made for a very pleasurable outing in the sunshine.