The Next Ride 13th October 2019 Shoreham Circular

Hove Lost Dog Cycle Search Team

Route details

Shoreham Station – Lancing Ring – Steep Down/ Cross Dyke area/Annington Hill SDW (Possibly Coombes Farm or Botolphs – Bramber – Upper Beeding – (Possibly Beeding Hill or Downs Link to Shoreham.              Map used for references Sheet 198 (TQ) (Route can be found on MAP.ME a free app which some downloaded after last ride with me)  

                                                                                                                                             References 180066, 167079 then via 183083 BW to Coombes Farm or 165083 BDW to Botolphs and Downs Link to Bramber and road  to Upper Beeding. BW to 205106. Then BW to Beeding Hill via 211104 and down Mill Hill to Shoreham or road to SDW and Downs Link to Shoreham

This will be for OFF ROAD RIDERS ONLY as a decision might have to be made depending on the weather and state of route during the ride and any riders wanting road only riding might be difficult to contact during the ride to arrange a meeting place and time

Start – Shoreham station

Time  – 10.15.

Route distance for long route about 20k.

Catering arrangements – Bring your own scran and drink for a stop on the way somewhere (No pubs or cafes included on this route!) No doubt we will find a café on our return to Shoreham for coffee, tea or something else!

Ride description

Easy ride to bridleway leading up to Lancing Clump. This BW is a long but not too severe climb with the top part steeper but easy for walking and pushing. Good BW to Steep down and thereon to Downs Link and includes good downhill sections.  BW from Upper Beeding but climb on sometimes bumpy BW to Beeding Hill if this route chosen.

Just for a bit of added interest I was on a search and rescue exercise with Sussex Lowland Search and Rescue Unit at Lancing Clump on a foul night and said that it would be just the night to be attacked by one of the so called Black Panthers (Leopards!) supposedly seen around here and reported to the police. A colleague said that he was walking his large dog here, who was not afraid of anything, when they both heard a nearby growl and the dog froze and stared at the undergrowth, put its tail between its legs, shook and then legged it down the hill where it waited obviously scared. It refuses to go up there again so perhaps we could have an exciting ride!

Like all chalk routes they can be slippery when wet!

It would be appreciated if those interested in the ride could let me know on 07940796934 by Wednesday 9 October but certainly no later than 17.00 on Saturday 12

Regards

Dave C

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Clarion Latest

Dear All

First, thanks to Roger for looking after things while I was away on holiday and to those who sent messages wishing us well I am happy to confirm that we had a great time in France. From my own point of view what was very encouraging was that most of the time at least I had no trouble walking around. Just over a year ago I was not able to even walk down the road without stopping every twenty yards or so to rest my left knee. But after two steroid injections, some chiropractor treatment and lots of physio exercises things are much, much better.

The next target is to get back on the bike properly. This year I only managed – just about – the little New Year ride and, so far, less than 100 miles all told. I realise I’m not going to ride up Ditchling Beacon again – and probably not even Elm Grove – but I’m hoping to get back to coming out on at least the occasional,gentler, Clarion ride.

Julian

Good to hear from Jim that Julian is back at home.

Yesterday– and the Ride for Leon

Conditions here weren’t quite as bad as they were in Yorkshire where the men’s world championship race was turned into something resembling bicycle water polo, but Angela was absolutely right to cancel the ride and I trust that everyone got the message. Because of this there are no ride reports but we do have to consecutive rides with Leon remembered on 20 October.

Ride Cancellations – should we change the system?

At the moment the system is for ride leaders needing to cancel to phone me – or one of the other 3 people with the mailing list – in time for a cancellation to be put out by 5 pm the day before the ride. Some ride leaders, as Angela did on Saturday, also announce it via the google group. This is a good ‘belt and braces’ move since the last thing anyone would want is someone turning up at the start of an advertised ride not realising it had been cancelled.

It would be simpler to ‘cut out the middleman’ and simply ask leaders to make any cancellation via the google group. The problem is that there are about 10 members who are not in the group and quite a few others, apparently fed up with long sequences of google group discussions clogging up their inbox, who select the’ no emails” option. If everyone – at least everyone who would like to know when rides are cancelled – is prepared to join the google group and those who prefer ‘no emails’ are content to check the day before the ride we could change to the simpler system. I would still try and send out a second message via the mailing list but it would take some pressure off me and the others.

So, please contact me if you don’t want to make this change and are – for whatever reasons – opposed to changing the current system. No need to explain – just let me know. We will keep the existing method for the moment and I will let you know what everyone decides in the next edition. And, of course, remind you how to join the group if that’s what everyone prefers.

Final chapter of Clarion History

To describe this short final episode as gloomy is an understatement. But I think it illustrates how, while women, children and civilians in general have always been major victims of war, modern technology brought this home to many people in Britain in 1914. It was an accurate prediction of the horrors of 20^th century warfare if very small scale compared to what happened later.

Ian

Clarion History 27

27 The final episode. A Shocking Edition. The Clarion on Christmas
Day 1914

On 16 December German battleships bombarded East Coast towns of
Scarborough, Hartlepool , West Hartlepool and Whitby. There were nearly
600 casualties, mostly civilians, including 137 fatalities. An eyewitness
account by Thomas Beckett, headed ‘Bloody Murder’ appeared in the
Clarion, with terrible irony, on Christmas day. He began by referring to the
reassuring statements from the Admiralty about the ‘entire absence of panic.’
But what did they know? ‘We others know. By God we do!’ He continued,
‘We poor civilians who are so brave, and whose murder is to be regretted, we
have no trenches or dugouts in which to seek shelter,‘ and then gave the
following graphic narrative.

I saw a man hurrying along the street holding a girl by the arm. She was
bespattered with blood from head to foot The man was holding her arm
to stop the gush of blood. I saw a thing on a flat cart driven at a gallop;
it had a bloody flattened mass where the head should be. I picked up
a shrieking woman…she had seen her sixteen year old boy shattered
by a shell.’
He went on:
Yes, our demeanour was everything to be desired.; It was. The self-
sacrificing way in which the helpless civilians assisted each other
stands for ever as a crushing reply to the immutant law of self-
preservation Here a poor mother with five naked children flying before
the murder; and here people turning back to get clothes for these poor
naked bodies and to comfort the demented mother. And all the while
the very atmosphere rocking with the blood-dry of hell-hounds let loose.
On the same page Hilda Thompson criticised the slowness of the press in
bringing out ‘specials’ on the East Coast bombardment. It was, she said, ‘an
event which so far as England is concerned is unparalleled in the history of
generations’ Blatchford believed that fewer men had joined up than
expected because ‘they have not realised that this war is a real war.’ They
would now, she said.

 

Ian

The Next Ride 29 September

his ride will be led by Angels (D) and will depart from Normans Bay and return via Pevensey and Wareham.

Full details will be emailed shortly.

Clarion Latest

Dear All

Sue and Ian are hopefully enjoying warm sunshine in Montpellier. Meanwhile, Clarion continues to provide its members with opportunities to cycle around Sussex, whatever (almost) the onset of Autumn throws at us.

In this issue you will find reports on the two rides we have already had during September.  Don’t forget that, unusually, a third ride is still planned for this month.  it will be led by Angela (D) on the 29^th. Details will be emailed shortly.

Looking ahead to October, a special ride is planned for Sunday 20^th in memory of Leon.  It will be a short circular from Hassocks station, including a stop at the natural burial ground where he is buried. Lunch at the Jack and Jill Inn.  Non-cyclists welcome: there is parking at the Inn.

The ride will be led by Joyce, John (Clinton) and David (J).  Full details in the next newsletter but please put it in your diary.  If you want lunch at the Jack and Jill please let Joyce know as seating may be limited (email: jedmondsmith@yahoo.co.uk or text: 0776 162 8836).

Roger

 Ian writes:

After a long period when I had real trouble finding people to take on rides, we are now OK up to the end of November except for 10 November (see grid below) – any offers?    If anyone wishes to follow the lead of Sikka and Tessa and propose an extra ride please let me know.

 

Toads Hole Valley Development

 Our Campaigns Officer (Angela (D)) sent the following to the Brighton and Hove planning department on 19 August

 Dear Madam/Sir

 I am writing in my capacity as Campaigns Officer for Brighton and   Hove Clarion Cycling Club about the proposed Toads Hole development.

Climate change is now high on the agenda of Brighton and Hove citizens.

This development does not go nearly far enough in tackling carbon emissions, especially those emitted by cars.

The development does not prioritise cycling and walking as per the national planning policy.

The target of 40% of journeys to be made by walking or cycling is much too weak; the target needs to be set much higher at 70%. People can and will make big changes to their mode of transport if the right infrastructure is in place.

The doctors’ surgery is set in a sea of car parking. Why not set the surgery in a park with plenty of bike racks, trees and access for disabled people?

The proposed cycle route across the A27 is a really poor design with 5 crossings, a chicane and a gate. This is not access to the South Downs but a ridiculous obstacle course. Build a proper bridge.

Regards

Angela Devas

Campaigns Officer Brighton and Hove Cycling Club

@BrightonClarion

Changing Your email

It’s easy to forget to let people know when you change your email address or other crucial details.  Here’s a message from Jim our Acting Membership Sec

You can log into your Clarion membership record by using the unique URL that you will have been provided with; this is of the form https://mmjo.me/**** where the four asterisks are replaced by a combination of letters that is unique to you. Paste this into your “browser” (i.e. Internet Explorer or equivalent).

 This will return an invitation to sign in with or without a password. If you don’t have a password choose the “without password” option and the system will send a link to the email address with which you are registered.

 Clicking this link will take you to your membership record, which you can then edit.

 If you do not know your unique URL, email Jim (j.r.grozier@btinternet.com) and he will send it to you. It’s a good idea to keep it somewhere where you can find it again in case you need it!”

 Train Availability

If you’re planning a ride please do make sure to check train availability if trains are needed. Rail Enquiries is warning about possible ‘Industrial Action’ and it is not unknown for Southern to make changes at a fairly late stage

Ian

Clarion Ride Report Chichester Circular via Pagham Harbour – 8 September 2019

Ten Clarionistas caught the Chichester train – it was good to see Jenny and Joyce after too long an absence, along with Angela C, Corinne, Sean, Sikka, Tessa and Wendy T. Unfortunately it was also the day Southern chose to unveil its new bike policy of a maximum of half a bike per carriage, evenly distributed along the train, with all the skilfully bisected half-bikes leaning against the doors so that they had to be shifted across on the command “We are now approaching Hove”. The guard was very nice and polite, but her strict rules turned out to be somewhat at variance with the official policy laid down at https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/on-board/bringing-a-bike. No doubt Southern are attempting to undercut the Great Western, whose policy of 1⅔ bikes per carriage on the Great Malvern service seems absurdly generous ….

Passing through the network of lakes on the site of an old quarry (Ivy Lake, Copse Lake, East and West Trout Lakes) we headed out through North Mundham and beyond on a quiet lane, with plentiful birds, butterflies and blackberries and fields stretching out to infinity. We saw a lovely Comma butterfly with its scalloped wings, but it was unfortunately rather camera-shy.

We continued onto a bridleway, following the NCN88 signs (if you “get your kicks on Route 66”, what do you do on Route 88? Seal your fate …?) and so to Sidlesham Quay where we had our picnic, sang “Happy Birthday” to Sally, and marvelled at the achievement of 18th century water engineers who had built a huge tide mill here, the only remnant being the brick platform on which we sat, and the pool beyond. (Sometimes one wonders whether “technological progress” is not perhaps an oxymoron ….)

After Angela D’s warnings about the political affiliations of the inhabitants of Hayling Island, we were heartened by a prominent “Stop Brexit” sign here.

While we tried to identify a mysterious wader, Tessa passed around some photos taken by Leon, and one of his drawings, and Joyce announced that a special memorial ride for Leon is to take place on 20 October.

RSPB Medmerry was just a loo stop, where we had to weave around a large crowd of bird-walkers doing a roll-call before setting off. More bridleways and narrow paths took us to Itchenor where the little ferry boat, now apparently officially named the Itchy Bosom, loaded up with bikes, but unfortunately not ours, as we were at the back of the queue. While waiting on the jetty we watched the large electric solar-powered catamaran, the Solar Heritage, complete with electric wheelchair lift, docking – but had to turn away when it appeared that the wheelchair would be propelled straight into the water on the other side of the narrow jetty … but no, they just managed to turn it around and save its occupant from an unscheduled dip.

Jenny took a shortcut to Chichester while the remaining 9 had a welcome tea stop at Bosham, with teas, coffees, milkshakes, crumble and toasted teacakes. We then set off for the final crawl to Chichester via Fishbourne, bisecting our bikes once more in order to comply with Southern regulations. Thanks to Sikka and Tessa for a wonderful day out, and for shepherding us so well with their well-known leader-and-backstop routine. All Clarion rides should be like this!

Sally and Jim.

Clarion Ride Report Sunday 01 September 2019

Jim (leader) Corinne, Sally Angela D

Report by Angela Devas 03 September 2019

Ever so slightly bleary eyed we assembled at the station in the very early hours of the morning, barely able to make one another out in the almost pre-dawn gloom, but my vision was not so badly obscured as to not observe rather enviously the coffee clutched in our leader’s hands.

We decanted at Haywards Heath the back way to make as precipitate a departure as possible from that dormitorial suburb – apologies to those mistaken apologists for that god-awful town. The plaintive cry of ‘When is the coffee stop?’ soon emerged from Jim’s followers. ‘At the elephant!’ he cried – I believe Jim recently attended a rewilding talk by the excellent Dr Chris Sandom, University of Sussex, where Dr Sandom discussed elephants twice as big as African ones roaming the Sussex landscape in the Palaeolithic era. Jim, mindful of every eventuality, had provided all his followers with whistles to prepare themselves in case of their sudden reintroduction, although I can assure all concerned Clarionistas that the whistles were not needed for that purpose on this occasion. We arrived at a café cum shopping centre at a crossroads – and found to our delight a pleasant café, apparently, according to Jim, called The Elephant, though no such sign was visible, where we sat on a terrace overlooking a charming garden. Delight soon turned to distress as we discovered a party of 50 had arrived just before us and we might have to wait a while. Clarionistas can be stoic so we discussed not only the extinction of the Sussex elephant but of the country as a whole; we were, of course, feeling a touch guilty about enjoying the view and not joining in one of the demonstrations happening in Brighton.

Very soon after our coffee stop we were at our lunch stop The Peacock  but undeterred we ordered; as our plates arrived we looked at one another helplessly as there seemed no one present who was able or willing to say grace, I mean of course the Instagram ceremony, the modern version of grace, where all food is photographed before consumption, so rather sheepishly we tucked in without a smart phone blessing. I can only offer my deepest regrets that no Clarionista will be able to partake virtually of our excellent meal. I do remember fish pie, vegetarian risotto and wild boar sausages. Our whistles, apparently, are also a good deterrent to the latter, the boar that is, before their sausage state.

Continuing our excellent adventure we were rather detained by what Sally claimed was essential practice in sharp shooting from the hip with a gun in each hand. Now I know some of you will be a little astonished that not all Clarionistas are signed up members of the Anti Blood Sports League, but it appears that Sally is the founding member of the Pot Shot Action Against Undesirable Tories, and knowing that next week I am going right into the heavily militarised Thorney Island she was determined I should learn to protect myself. Accordingly, some time was spent riding my bicycle as fast as possible with my hands initially in my pockets and then releasing them suddenly and twirling imaginary pistols. Perhaps fortunately no live ammunition was present as I am notoriously astigmatic and might well have incapacitated our leader or another hapless Clarionista.

After lunch we wobbled on – this is an exact word as for various reasons we were all a little unsteady on our wheels. Corinne because she kept peering at her heart rate on the mini surveillance gizmo she attaches to herself and every time it hit 308 she leapt anxiously out of her saddle because she thought she was having a heart attack; Sally because she insisted on leaning backwards going uphill because she heard the cawing of a raven – in fact it was probably me shrieking ‘Horsham slab’ at passing rooftops or East Mascalls manor house https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1025621 and Jim because he attempted to ride his bike into any passing shed thinking it might be his longed for pumphouse http://www.villagepumps.org.uk/pumpsSussex.htm – but somehow or another we pottered along the lovely Norlington Lane, having ridden up the avenue of lime trees to Bentley wild fowl museum to discover that the whole reserve was closed and now given over to industry https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/shock-closure-of-leading-family-attraction-in-sussex-1-8691586 – perhaps a nice little metaphor for the way this country is going?

At the Depot café by the cinema in Lewes we collapsed, looking like wasted extras from a late-night horror movie, onto outdoor sofas and we would probably still be there had Corinne not sensibly rounded us up to catch a train back to Brighton.

Many thanks to Jim for organising and leading this ride.