***CANCELLED due to bad weather; rescheduled for 9 August 2015***
Chichester – Centurion Way – West Stoke – Fishbourne – Dell Quay (for lunch) – Salterns Marina – Chichester Ship Canal Basin (for tea)
We meet at the south side of Chichester railway station at 11.15 am and then go round over the railway level crossing to the north side to start riding on the cycle track from the car park. After a mile we begin a northward ride on the Centurion Way and in about three miles we take the West Stoke Road which has a gentle rise until the middle of the village. We turn south into Lye Lane and on down until we go round the north and east of Fishbourne and pass under the A27. We take the Salterns Way bridlepath past Apuldram and soon reach the Crown and Anchor Public House at Dell Quay – probably before 1.30.
After lunch we continue on the Salterns Way south and cross over the Chichester Salterns Marina lock gates to reach the Chichester Old Ship Canal. At the northern end of the Marina Entrance road we ride along the towpath* on the east side of the canal until we cross over the Poyntz canal footbridge onto a wider well-surfaced track. From this bridge there is a distant view of Chichester Cathedral apparently surrounded by green fields and trees and no sign of any urbanisation. The ride ends at the Canal Basin where there is a fine Canal Trust tearoom.
* The alternative to reach the Poyntz canal footbridge is to take the minor road east to the B2145 T-junction then north through Hunston – also more suitable for bikes with road tyres. We can re-group at the entrance to the footbridge.
Trains to Chichester: Brighton 10.00 and Hove 10.04 arriving at 10.55.
London Victoria 9.17 arriving at 10.59
Meet on the south side of Chichester railway station at 11.15.
Terrain: a gentle gradient up to West Stoke, then downhill to the north of Fishbourne, and thereafter mainly flat. 17 miles – see O/S Explorer Map 120 “Chichester” (1:25000)
Roads: a mixture of cycle tracks, footpaths along the canal side, and quiet country roads.
There are four busy roads to cross: B2178 SE of Ashling, A259 in Fishbourne, A286 at Cutfield Bridge and B2201 at Crosbie Bridge. However, we do not have to cycle along them.
Lunch: at the Crown and Anchor, Dell Quay, with a quite expensive menu. The Boat House Café prices at the Salterns Marina are probably lower. Tea: by the Chichester Ship Canal Basin, just south of the railway station.
Return trains times to:
Hove 16.15H 16.27SN 16.53SN 17.15H
Brighton 16.15C 16.27SN 16.53SN 17.15C
Victoria 16.15V (arr.17.56) 17.15V (arr. 18.56)
H: three stops before HoveSN: stops at all stations before Brighton
C: change at Hove, with three stops before Hove
V: no changes: with five stops before London Victoria, incl. Clapham Junction
Note: the new Southern Rail timetables started on 17 May, but due to computer problems the printed timetables are not yet available. These times were viewed on-line, but perhaps you should check them beforehand.
My mobile number is: 0789 635 3563
Julian