Bastille Day Ride 2008

We had a good turnout for the Bastille Day ride that fell on a Monday this year. Our usual pub was shut but at short notice we were made welcome for lunch at the Hollist Inn at Lodsworth. After a late start from Ellens Green we followed the usual back lanes route to the top of the South Downs for coffee at the top of Bury Hill. Then it was on, up and down, around Goodwood race course to West Dean and over onto the South Harting road. We seem to have lost our ability to make up lost time over the years and so we chose the easy route through Midhurst to Lodsworth which turned out to be no shorter (although much easier.) Fortunately the confusion over which pub we were stopping at did not prevent Chris Law, Jim Harwood and Robin Potter from joining up with us there. Suitably sustained we returned to Ellens Green through Gospel Green, Shillinglee and Dunsfold. The weather had been superb for cycling, the countryside as beautiful as ever and a good fete day was enjoyed by all. We'd ridden 77 miles at a speed best not remembered. Grateful thanks to the Blessed Caroline Harrison who in the evening invited us to her place for food and drinks, where we were joined by other celebrants unable to join the ride.