Wednesday Wanders & Other Rides
Another Wednesday Wander ~ 5th August
Fifteen enthusiastic cyclists set off in three groups from the Heath Car Park, heading East. After the climb past Nurstead Rocks the ensemble travelled through the lanes, some passing West Harting, others not, but that didn't matter, the weather was fine and we all ended up at the Durleighmarsh Teabarn for refreshments. Once replete, the happy cyclists returned to the stating point, content with a good morning out in the fresh air and sunshine. Thanks to Daph and Rodney for leading the second and third groups and to Paul, Anne and Lorraine for their backmarking duties.
And Another Wednesday Wander ~ 22nd July 2026
Ten cyclists gathered in the Causeway layby and set off for an uneventful journey to the Old Dairy at Privett, where refreshments were enjoyed before the return to the starting point, via East Meon. Thanks to Pedal Power Paul for leading the second group and to Brian for the back marking of that group. Also thank you to Big Chris for back marking the first group and to the first group as a whole for waiting for me to catch up after the climbs up Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya! A good ride, with good company, in good weather, and not too good to be true!
Isle of Wight (second attempt) ~ 15th July 2026
Finnaly we managed to get going on this ride after a number of issues. The SeaCat weren’t allowing bikes on board due to an accident at the terminal. So off to the ferry and Fishbourne instead. We had coffee at Quarr Abbey in their lovely garden and lunch in Newport before a longish ride to The Garlic Farm where ice creams were mist welcome. Then back to the ferry and homeward bound having covered 25 miles on lovely weather
Another Itchen Valley Ride ~ 14th July 2026
Well it was going to be 11 CFF Members it actually was 3, Chris Bird, Ken and I .They were in good spirits and we had an enjoyable ridedown the Itchen valley to Easton where we enjoyed a 40 minute coffee break at The Chestnut Horse pub, Ken told us the ancient history of Greece from the documentary he saw last night. I told them about the Elephants on Tilos. Our ride back to the Bush pub at Ovington was under ideal cycling conditions. At the pub we met the Mayo’s and Linda P. Linda had come by car her chain having broken on Sun. We all had a convivial lunch and by the time we left for the Farm shop for Cheriton It was really warm. 16 miles in all but 45 for Chris as Petersfield was his start and finish point. Thanks for the excellent company we all enjoyed the day. The 3 musketeers must do it again!! Geoff
Yet Another Wednesday Wander ~ 8th July 2026
Ten riders gathered at Sheet Green and split into two groups to embark on our journey through Steep Marsh, passing three horse riders carefully, and onto Oakshott and Hawkley. However, the second group lost two cyclists on the way! I think that early refreshments at Hilliers beckoned. The main groups continued from Hawkley, down Snailing Lane, then towards Greatham and on towards Liss Forest, but not quite.The two missing cyclists suddenly appeared as we were taking a shady detour down the Riverside Path to Liss (this was a special request) then on to the Triangle Centre for refreshments. Once replete we travelled back to Sheet. Many thanks to Sue for leading the second group and to Chris, Rodney and Trevor for their back marking duties. A hot mornings ride, but mainly in the shade and big thanks to all who took part.
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.