West Dean Xmas Loop

A last minute, if you want to join me ride!

The weather has been poor this week so planning rides has been difficult for this Wednesday.

As it is forecast a wet early start and possibly damp later on, I’ve kept this ride short (54km/34m) and also not starting until 10.00am at Rowlands Castle.

Plan is to ride the semi-hilly route to West Dean Post office for coffee, then if weather is holding loop out up to Goodwood and around to Lavant or if not cut it short by heading down the cycle track to Lavant. Returning on the traditional Southcoast cycle route.

Prepare for a damp ride if you want to come along!

Bookings for this ride/event

Booking is required for this ride. Please let the ride leader know if you want to join. Please do not turn up for the ride unless you've had your booking confirmed or your name appears below.

There are 8 spaces available for the leader and riders. Of these, 6 are left.

Bookings recorded for this ride (Log in to see rider names):

• A PCTC member

To ask to join this ride, please use the 'Contact us about this ride' link above to send an email to the ride leader.

About faster rides

Our other rides go at the pace of the slowest rider or we will split the ride to accommodate a slower rider. 'Faster rides' go faster than other rides and people joining are expected to keep up.

We're not talking about professional or even 'club' riding speeds, but trying to ride at any speed faster than you can manage is an unpleasant experience.

If you want to join a faster ride, but uncertain whether you can keep up:

• Consider trying one or two of our other rides classed as A (Demanding) or B (Hilly) first. If you're able to keep up without difficulty that's a good indication you're ready for a faster ride. The chances are you'll be riding with other members familiar with faster rides that can help you with your assessment.
• In any case, contact the ride leader and discuss your experience to date with them. Bear in mind, however, that subjective assessments of average speed and cruising speed are notoriously unreliable even for those that routinely use cycle computers.

Before you join a faster ride, please review the route and prepare to make your own way back if you're struggling to keep up - and we all have bad days. We will not, however, intentionally drop slower riders; nor will we leave riders without first checking they are confident with getting back.