Sunday 24th August 2014

He ordered a full english but ate my breakfast bap

"Not the best.........bread not crispy enough"

Eggs Benedict

Sea Lane cafe

Dave mends his puncture within sight of a crowded Sea lane cafe

The Mulberry Tree - Goring-on-sea

Stooks cafe,Newbridge

A unseasonably VERY cold  late August early morning 8° but that didn't deter five hardriders.
Typically, I set off way too fast for most and was soon getting a severe telling off (b*llocking) as we passed the "West Sussex" sign at around 8.40am.
Happy to slow down we were soon tucking into W'spoons' breakfast bap and drink (£2.29).
There was some confusion about Daniel's order but it meant he ended up eating a full english and a breakfast bap!
Also typically, Jeff arrived as we were leaving 9.40am but Stenying and the South Downs beckoned.
To be fair, any folk wishing to meet up on a coast run are unaware of where we'll be at certain times so from next year, I'll carry my mobile so organising a rendezvous would be simpler.
Apologies to Terry & Richard who missed us at Horsham.
So continuing south through Southwater, Dial Post, Ashurst to Stenying 10.40am.
I picked the first cafe I saw and that was the Sussex Produce Company.
http://www.thesussexproducecompany.co.uk/
Two chevrons a little way apart led us up onto the delightful road that drops down to Sompting.
I elected a short detour to Lancing to pick up the coastal cycle path (midday) and arrived at the designated lunch (Sea Lane cafe - Ferring).
This was the first disappointment of the day because it was way too busy with the queue for food out of the doorway.
After the photos we set off in search of lunch but got no further than 100yds...........a thorn puncture for Dave.
Fish and chips for me at The Mulberry Tree pub £4.99.............the plan B lunch stop.
Then Clapham, Storrington, West Chiltington, and the long road north to tea at Newbridge.
It was 4.15pm by now and Stooks shuts at 4pm on a Sunday...........but remarkably the owner called us back in offering tea and cakes but no coffee.
We were less than satisfied with the poor quality, overpriced cakes (my stem ginger traybake was too dry) but beggars can't be choosers and perhaps the free cheese scones the owner offered helped restore faith in this establishment!
Some chose to go their separate ways as far out as West Chiltington (Jeff) .........Dave (Friday Street) and I took flight from Janice & Paul at Blackbrook deciding the climb to Headley (pain) for the downhill run into Epsom (gain).

A coolish day for late August 20° but mostly sunny.
Probably 100 miles but for me it's always about quality over quantity.
An enjoyable dayout that for the most part went as planned.
As I write, on this Bank Holiday Monday........it's raining of course!

Take a look at these three short films of cycling in six cities around the world.........but don't bother with London, we've heard it all before.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-28885669