It was very windy last night but by morning there was hardly a
breath of wind. I was packed up and away by 7 a.m. and it was nice
to pack a dry tent away. My concerns about the state of the coastal
path were unfounded and it was quite easy to ride my bike over the
bumpy grass. I only had to stop and push it through one section
before reaching the track up to the caravan site and Workmans Lane.
Hovercraft Museum Lee-on-Solent
I was soon back on my planned route and it was interesting to note
that as I cycled past Chilling Copse which is woodland where I had
originally planned to camp I found it was almost impenetrable
brambles so taking the coast option was the best. The road followed
along the coast through Lee-on-Solent and on the approach to Gosport
I stopped briefly to have a look through the gates at the Hovercraft
Museum.
Portsmouth from the ferry
Further on there was a nice cycle track to follow and then I emerged
back on to the roads in Gosport to the ferry terminal. The ferry is
only for pedestrians and bikes and the cost £4.80. I was too early
for the Senior Citizen charge. I asked for a single ticket but the
ticket said return. The ferry arrived just as I bought the ticket so
I wheeled my bike down and onto the ferry. It didn't take long for
the crossing so I briefly went on to the top deck for a quick look
before having to return to untie my bike and join the queue of
cyclists getting off at the Portsmouth end. Before leaving the pier
area I stopped to photograph a tall ship with masts and funnels. It
was HMS Warrior and the date 1860.
HMS Warrior was a 40-gun steam-powered armoured frigate built
for the Royal Navy in 1859–61.
The traffic through Portsmouth was quite busy and even when I reach
the east coast and headed north there was still lots of traffic.
Heading in to Havant I noticed a trucker’s sign which I followed to
the right and came to Terri's Cafe which looks quite good so I
decided to stop for something to eat. I went inside and ordered a
bacon and chicken sandwich which cost £3. The cafe was quite busy
and it took about 15 minutes before it was ready. It was worth the
wait as it was excellent value and I ate it outside before
continuing on my way. The roads continued very busy and I was
relieved to reach Chichester and ride the less busy roads in the
town centre.
Terri's Cafe
Terri's Cafe
Chichester underpass
I stopped briefly at Chichester Railway Station to take a quick
picture as this is where one of my previous rides ended. Across the
level crossing I soon join a cycle track that took me to the
Chichester Canal Basin which was originally built in 1817. I
followed it round and cycles along the Chichester Canal towpath
which was fairly bumpy and not good riding. I was only by the canal
for a few miles before reaching the road and having to put up with
constant fast traffic again.
I follow the road in to Bognor Regis where I had a brief stretch
along the shore before riding back inland to Littlehampton. As I
left Littlehampton I headed back towards the shore at Goring-by-Sea
and was then able to join an excellent cycle track along the shore
side. This was very pleasant riding all the way through Worthing and
towards Southwick. At Shoreham-by-Sea I cross over a new pedestrian
bridge to re-join the main road through Southwick and continued
along the coast. I was mostly able to follow a cycle track which
took me into Brighton and Hove.
Worthing
Away in the distance I could see a very tall structure which looked
like a chimney and I wondered what it was. I came to a point on the
coast where I could look out to the remnants of an old dilapidated
pier. Continuing on I came to the current Brighton Pier. The tall
structure seen earlier was adjacent to the pier and was a large tall
column with a circular restaurant type building structure around it
which went up and down the column. The whole area was very crowded
with tourists and it was reminiscent of Blackpool Promenade.
The weather continued overcast and felt quite chilly but fortunately
I had a wind behind me. As I continued east along the cycle track
bike into a large area of car parks which was able to cater for
large volumes of coaches but very few vehicles were there.
Brighton Pier
The cycle track headed up via a zigzag route I join the main road
where there was a cycle track along the coast edge. In my left was a
large sombre looking building which is
Roedean School. The road was incredibly busy but being on the
cycle track I had no problem riding. I was now in the area where I'd
planned to camp and have the problem of finding a suitable pitch. I
descended down into Rottingdean and by now I'd done around 70 miles
but there was no suitable pitch here. I wheeled my bike back up the
hill and took a grass path running along the cliff top until I
reached a high point buy a bus stop. Even though I was near the main
road there was a bank which gave me a little privacy from view. I
pitch my tent at the base of the bank where I couldn't be seen from
the road but unfortunately I still have the traffic noise.
Return to
Whittle Wanderer
