FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast - Felpham near Bognor 22nd April 2011

[rich p]

Martin, you're right, in that DB has a reputation beyond it's difficulty due largely to the BHF ride and the TdF going over it.

It's still a bit testing though as the fitter you get the faster you try to get up it!

 

[TimO]

ahem.. getting back to the subject, is arundel castle open to visitors and would it be polite to turn up in lycra?

Wikpedia says:

Today the castle remains the principal seat of the Dukes of Norfolk, the dukedom currently being held by the 18th Duke, the Earl Marshal of England. Most of the castle and its extensive grounds are open to the public.

 

[rich p]

hmmmmm.. wonder who my money would be on..

I think I may have been misunderstood! I'll race anyone older and slower than me

 

[frank9755]

I'm sure they'll let you in, but no cleats on the parquet floors!
I've been round the town and did a bike ride around the area once, although not into the actual house. But it's a very pretty setting and well worth a visit.

The main street is a fair old climb as well. Harder and steeper than Ditchling.

 

[mangaman]

ahem.. getting back to the subject, is arundel castle open to visitors and would it be polite to turn up in lycra?

zz - Arundel Castle may be open - but it isn't that great. It's a modern folly.

The best bits a free and are the grounds and the whole surrounds of Arundel and the Arun Valley - as Greg has said the railway to London goes that way, so it's a good place to meander - and if you suddenly want to get home there are stations like Arundel and Amberley very close together on the Portsmouth-Victoria line

 

[Aperitif]

For anyone arriving early to London, and in need of sandcastle training etc, the South Bank Centre has installed an urban beach. Open from 10am today, Friday.
It is part of the Festival of Britain Celebrations - which were aeons before my time, but perhaps Rich or dellzeqq, etc remember the event?
(I have a nice programme somewhere)

 

[frank9755]

For anyone arriving early to London, and in need of sandcastle training etc, the South Bank Centre has installed an urban beach. Open from 10am today, Friday.
It is part of the Festival of Britain Celebrations - which were aeons before my time, but perhaps Rich or dellzeqq, etc remember the event?
(I have a nice programme somewhere)

Very handy for my office

 

[Aperitif]

Very handy for my office

Tide to your desk again, Frank?

 

[deckertim]

What a joy to have the day off before a night ride. I am now contemplating all those things I will be able to do, that I don't normally have time for, or forget to do:
Clean my bike
Service my bike
Charge batteries
Make flapjacks
Prepare a route up to London for my Garmin
Have an afternoon snooze.

See you all tonight. It should be a good one.

 

[frank9755]

Tide to your desk again, Frank?

I was just making some plans for next week!

 

[ceepeebee]

Have an afternoon snooze.

This most definitely, especially as GLW is taking the boy off into town. Sleep is certainly at a premium in this house.

Hayfever is particularly vicious this morning, I've dosed up with plenty anti-histamine and I'm still sounding like a 60 a day smoker (mine triggers off asthma, a brilliant combination - so I'll apologise for the hacking cough tonight in advance)

Isn't there some sort of mega-smog warning for this afternoon too?

Still, can't wait for later, should be awesome.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

zz - Arundel Castle may be open - but it isn't that great. It's a modern folly.

The best bits a free and are the grounds and the whole surrounds of Arundel and the Arun Valley - as Greg has said the railway to London goes that way, so it's a good place to meander - and if you suddenly want to get home there are stations like Arundel and Amberley very close together on the Portsmouth-Victoria line

not to mention pulborough billingshurst and christ's hospital where it all goes a bit non scenic northwards...

 

[benborp]

zz - Arundel Castle may be open - but it isn't that great. It's a modern folly.

Substantial sections of the castle are twelfth century, there are some excellent Norman doorways and in many parts the eleventh century construction is visible. The motte dates from 1068 and has a large 12th C keep on top. Major additions were made in the 14th C. From the late 1700's through to 1900 the castle was renovated by the Dukes of Norfolk as a residence, the original keep remains intact and largely unaltered cos it looked pretty in the back garden. It's an interesting building that's developed over nearly a thousand years of occupancy - if that's your cup of tea it would be a shame to miss it.

 

[dellzeqq]

If you want to see something wonderful on the route - go in to the church at West Chiltington. There's some 1000 year old wall paintings.

 

[clivedb]

If you want to see something wonderful on the route - go in to the church at West Chiltington. There's some 1000 year old wall paintings.

Where my parents got married in deep snow in January 1947!