Goodwood 'Convoy' ride-out Saturday, February 28th

[the-other-bradders]

everyone loves a tryer!! dont let it put you off...

why not go back to plan A - several smaller groups, with Twizzles map in hand (or on tank)

keep it to about 8 max, that way its easier to stay together, have a lead and a back marker and whatever in between, only 3 rules: ride at your own pace; if you cant see the guy behind in your mirrors slow down til you can; wait for the last backmarker at any junction/roundabout which is not straight on

been using this method for years, works really well, keeps the group roughly together but allows peolpe to 'tear it up' or 'take in the scenery' and never lost anyone (well, maybe one or two we wanted to lose )

 

[Horse1200]

Twizzles plan sounds spot on to me. Im not trying to stir up trouble but a ride out is fun and meeting other people. The system bradders is talking about works. I organized a offroad trip (see ride reports, offroading in hampshire). Yes it was only a small group, but there was just a system of watch your mirrors it worked.

Stig sounds good to me. How a bout meet at morrisons petrol station. say around 9ish i reckon. Cant remeber last time i rode down to goodwood, done it in tractor last year think it took me about 45 mins from alton, so if we leave then i reckon get down there just before ten will be spot on.

Any one else coming from blazingsmoke area.

 

[the-other-bradders]

Stig sounds good to me. How a bout meet at morrisons petrol station. say around 9ish i reckon. Cant remeber last time i rode down to goodwood, done it in tractor last year think it took me about 45 mins from alton, so if we leave then i reckon get down there just before ten will be spot on.

Any one else coming from blazingsmoke area.

well, I can either divert up to Alton, or you could come down to Loomies, then across the 272 etc etc....better than the A31 route which is a tad boring

 

[oldrascal]

As the weather is looking promising tomorrow, I thought that I might head over to the Goodwood Aero Club in the morning around 10 or so for a coffee and then do a tour down the A272 to wherever.

Anyone at a loose end and fancy an impromptu meet?

 

[Markblox]

Back marker system

Hi, I'm looking forward to the ride on the 28th no matter how it's done. I would like to say though that all my group riding has been done using this system(with ROSPA SMART) which at times involved up to 15 bikes and it works very well and is the safest way for a group to get from place to place. It enables everyone to go at whatever pace they want without tight group riding at speed, which is the most dangerous type of riding, or feeling that if they don't keep up they will be left behind, which can lead to slower riders going faster than is safe for there level. Last October I was in a four day trip with eleven others into France, Belgium, Lux and Germany and no one got lost even once! It's still fun but means everyone arrives at the next stop within five mins of each other and no one should get lost. Regards to all.

 

[Banjaxed]

Alternative...

Hi Oldrascal, not sure if I can make the 28th (prior commitment) and don't want to bollix up your arrangements, but if you want an alternative to the A272 (Petworth-Petersfield bit), I highly recommend the road that runs parallel, but south of it (right at the foot of the Downs).

Heading north on the A285, just after Duncton, turn left to Graffham and Heyshott, then follow it though to cross the A286 at Cocking. Carry on west through Bepton, Elsted and East Harting, then into South Harting. There, you can go north to pick up the A272 just east of Petersfield, or carry on west and pick up the A272 at the A3 junction.

This is a seriously interesting (tiny!) road and well worth the detour.

Hope to see you at Goodwood, but if not, have fun!

 

[oldrascal]

Hi Banjaxed, that is indeed a great set of roads that I know well and provided it hasn't been raining too much, they are a joy. My only concern would be that some of the smaller roads gets pretty crappy after bad weather with a fair bit of mud and deep water and need to be treated with a fair bit of caution. Great if you know what you are about but a bit treacherous in a group for less experienced riders I suspect.

That said, as you are 'local', we ought to hook up and have a play around them another day. Hope to see you at Goodwood.

 

[PC1]

Goodwood ride

As you wil be passing my front dor almost it woud be churlish not to join in from the begining. Never ridden with other GS ers before, mates all have inferior bikes. Hope to se you at Goodwood.

 

[Horse1200]

bradders i could meet stig then come down to loomies, then go from there. Sounds like a plan to me.

 

[oldrascal]

And here we have the latest list.

Pink asterisks (chosen with care) indicate complete and utter lack of certainty and direction, total inability to resist coercion and absolute ground-under-the-heel of SWMBO (aka the Jackboot syndrome ).


OldRascal
GreatScott
PJ1200
Anonymous
Scuba-Sparky
The Slow Granger *
Prattapillar
Parkys100
Beck
Twizzle
autogs
chod *
the-other-bradders *
Haggisblower*
g.s.john *
horse
dizzyrascal
ncpierce (probably)
markblox
strider
pukmeister *
brig + mrs.brig
TheStig
Patholgic & physio Joe
Dazzle
pc1
Banjaxed *

 

[ncpierce]

So let's start by suggesting this as a possible route for the South Coast participants and leave the thread open for alternative suggestions if anyone wants to structure a different itinerary to end up elsewhere.

• Meet at Goodwood Aero Club for fry-up at 10:00
• Departure at 11:00 onto A285 to Petworth
• Petworth to Midhurst A272
• Midhurst to A3 (Petersfield) A272
• A3 south to A272 exit
• A272 to A32 crossroads for coffee at Loomies

That is about 40 miles, say 45-60 mins of easy riding. Time for a brew and a natter and then onto the next stage leaving at say, 12.30.

• A32 to A31 (we pass Bahnstormers if anyone needs anything)
• A31 to B3006 (Selbourne Road)
• B3006 to A3
• A3 northwards to Liphook exit
• B2131 to A283 (Petworth Road)
• A283 south to Petworth
• A283 Petworth to Fittleworth
• B2138 to A29
• A29 south to the big layby at the Bury Hill Whiteways lodge roundabout. Easy parking, lots of room, grub and drinks from cafe.

This should take about 75 minutes or so and we should get here around 14:00 to 14:30 hours. That leaves us some time for a chat and yet more grub/brew before sloping off back to the salt mines.

OK I have slung the above route into Mapsource. Have changed things around a bit in the second leg to avoid the A3. Have a play if you want. I thought it may be easier for people to see what you had planned.

Total route length 84miles just over 2hours riding time.

Nigel

 

[oldrascal]

Nigel, that's spot on and your detour to avoid the A3 on the last leg is much more interesting and scenic. So that's a 'go' as far as I am concerned.

Are you planning to come along?

 

[Pukmeister]

Route checked on Mapsource and looks good Nigel, thanks very much. Loaded it into my trusty Nav2 ready for the off.

 

[The Slow Granger]

Options for independents

Excellent route all round. Banjaxed suggestion is a very scenic route for those that see too much of the A272.

Can I also suggest for any of the independents looking for an alternative from Petersfield, the road through Stroud and Steep is particularly nice and not as clogged as the A272. It joins the A32 north of the Meon cross and Loomies, but this legstretcher bit of the 32 is worth doing south and north again!

Steve

 

[Banjaxed]

Indeed...

"...pretty crappy after bad weather with a fair bit of mud and deep water..."

Indeed they do. I tried it once after very heavy rain and it was like the Somme...

On the other hand, if it's dry, it's about as close to the downs as you can get on tarmac (and I'm too old/stupid/chicken for serious off-road). Let's see how the weather pans out...

 

[Paul Wakefield]

A word of warning. There are major gas roadworks in Petworth which are going on until April. You may want to branch onto the A272 and cut down to the A283 instead of going through Petworth.

 

[Pukmeister]

Excellent route all round. Banjaxed suggestion is a very scenic route for those that see too much of the A272.

Can I also suggest for any of the independents looking for an alternative from Petersfield, the road through Stroud and Steep is particularly nice and not as clogged as the A272. It joins the A32 north of the Meon cross and Loomies, but this legstretcher bit of the 32 is worth doing south and north again!

Steve

Another good call Steve, one of my favourites through those hairpins so long as the banking hasn't washed down onto the road as sometimes happens. Last thing you need is a chunk of chalk or mud in the middle of the bend. A good blast past the John Deere place and towards the A32.

 

[mark2jag]

Sounds like fun, but I have 2 conditions, and they are namely, that I'm not working and secondly, that I can keep up with you lot. (To be honest I see keeping up as more of a prob than the annual leave aspect, cos i can always chuck a sickie, so hope my bosses arent reading this, as im joking anyway, err maybe,lol)

 

[Slowdown]

...., that I can keep up with you lot.

If (and I can't imagine so many bikes not using it) the classic 'marking' system is being used (as already alluded to) then there'll be no problems with a granny on a C90 keeping up.


Does anyone heading 'south' fancy meeeting up before hand? Say Vines at 8.30?

 

[The Slow Granger]

Detours

The road works in Petworth should not cause delay if the approach is from Chichester as the works are in the centre of town.

Another scenic detour is between Petworth and Midhurst via Graffam and Heyshott. A couple of miles after dropping down Duncton Hill there is a turning just before Chandlers building suppliers.

This road runs Parallel to the A272 but stunning heathlands of Ambersham and the Downs to be taken in.

Might even get to see a polo match this way.... GS Chukka Challenge anyone.....??

Steve