The Last Ride: Angmering Cicular with a Beach Picnic

On what is very likely the last glorious day of summer 14 Clarionettes assembled from various parts:-

Angela – Angelika (our London regular) – Anne – Jim – Joyce – Kate (welcome to a new rider) – Leon – Marilyn (Another new rider to welcome) [well, new-ish, anyway – Jim] – Rob – Roger (our Leader)  – Sikka – Suzanne  –  and TJ and Joan (another two Londoners).

This turned out not to be the fastest ride we have done, but with Roger’s patient shepherding it was full of delights.  The first part if not from the “sublime to the ridiculous” was, once past Angmering, from the horror of the A27 with cars seeming to be going at 80 miles p.h. to the haven of  lovely wooded lanes and on up a very acceptable hill to the great view of the castle.

The ride was not without its small crises – first was Joyce who had joined the ride determinedly (or foolhardily) braving a damaged back muscle, but who was shortly racked with pain. To the rescue came Rob with his magical pills – (no advertisement here but they were legal ….)  And they worked a miracle which enabled her (me) to stay in the group of back riders.

Then Joan’s rear gear change gave up which forced her to ride in one gear – but, good rider that she is, she managed, and, as Jim said, we went “Climping up to Limping”, foregoing the  option of tea at Arundel so that we could get to Climping beach quicker;  drawn by the promise of a picnic on the beach and – for some of us – a likely last swim in the sea this year.

It was indeed perfect weather for a picnic and swim which was enlivened by Leon’s  new toy, an “underwater camera” which allowed us to take fun photos in the water. 

We left the beach just as the perfect weather gave way to a blustery wind to accompany us on our way back to Angmering via Littlehampton.  Last delight was the little cafe on the station at Angmering which had just the tea/coffee we needed.

Thank you Roger for a lovely meticulously organised ride

Joyce