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The Event

This rally was located at two forts (Fort Purbrook and Fort Widley) situated on the top of Ports Down overlooking Portsmouth and with a view to the Isle of Wight.



Several ride routes were provided (long, medium, short and family routes) but were not associated with any given day. This made taking representative pictures difficult as riders were spread rather thinly across the countryside. We've done our best below...



After weeks of hot, sunny weather, forecasts for this week were dire with high winds and rain forecast. They turned out to be largely accurate although we did also have some very pleasant periods.
View over Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight from Fort Widley

View over Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight from Fort Widley



Click on any of the following pictures to enter a slide show (with larger pictures) at the selected picture

Sunday, 27th May

The weather was showery and windy.



Some tandem teams from Fort Widley set off in a northerly direction heading for Queen Elizabeth Country Park where we knew there was a welcoming café.

Tandems at Broadhalfpenny Down

Some of the Fort Widley contingent at Broadhalfpenny Down

Tandems in Queen Elizabeth Country Park

In Queen Elizabeth Country Park



Monday, 28th May

The weather overnight had been very wet and very windy with at least one tent at Fort Purbrook being demolished by wind and rain and most of the caravan awnings at Widley, that were not taken down previously, were damaged by the wind.



The following morning was wet and very windy and most people spent the day cowering at their bases rather than risk being blown off their tandems!



However, despite the poor weather we did have a very pleasant social gathering in the evening in the fort. We did this each evening.



Evening functions also took place at Fort Purbrook – a Table Top Sale, slide shows by Mike Edwards and Keith Wileman, a quiz and Mike Edwards displayed his vintage bikes.

A forlorn looking tandem at Fort Widley

A typical picture as the rain poured and

the wind blew

- a forlorn looking tandem at Fort Widley

Social gathering in the evening at Fort Widley

Social gathering in the evening at Fort Widley

Vintage bike demonstration

At Fort Purbrook Mike Edwards demonstrates one

of his vintage bikes and Keith Wileman demonstrates old bicycle lamps.

photos: David Wilde

Note: click here to see more from Mike and Keith's Vintage bicycle show.



Tuesday, 29th May
Tuesday dawned sunny and 8 tandem crews from Widley set off promptly at 9:30, heading in a northwesterly direction towards Brambridge with refreshment stops on the way out at Bishop's Waltham and another on the way back at Wickham. Tandems outside Fort Widley

The start, outside Fort Widley

Tandem picture

Alan and Pauline

Tandem picture

Mary and Alan leading the train

Tandem picture

Martin and Jen

Tandem picture

Ian and Jo

Tandem picture

David and Annabelle

Tandems in Wickham

Afternoon tea stop at

Chesapeake Mill, Wickham


The Family ride from Purbrook went to Fishbourne Palace near Chichester. Tandems at Fort Purbrook

Tandemists gather at Fort Purbrook

for the ride to Fishbourne Palace

photo: Mark Noble

Tandems picture

En route to Fishbourne Palace

photo: Mark Noble

Tandems picture

En route to Fishbourne Palace

photo: Mark Noble

Refreshments stop

Refreshments stop

photo: Liz Noble



Wednesday, 30th May
Today was wet! Nevertheless we had a very good turnout comprised of teams from both forts for our ride to the north - stopping again at Queen Elizabeth Country Park.



In the evening we had a very interesting and informative walking tour of Fort Widley.
Tandems picture

Just after the start - in the rain

Tandem puncture repair

The inevitable wet weather puncture

Tandems in the rain

About to leave Queen Elizabeth Country Park

in the rain

Soake Road

How appropriate!

Tandems picture

Almost back to Fort Widley

Walking into Fort Widley

The sun came out in time for

our guided tour of Fort Widley

Descending into the depths of Fort Widley

Descending into the depths...

Inside Fort Widley

In the underground tunnels



Thursday, 31st May
The final day was sunny and Brian and Chris led the Widley group on a ride to Bosham and Chichester. Tandems at Fort Widley

Morning departure

Tandems at Bosham

Bosham - "This road floods each tide"

Tandem at Bosham

Looking back to Bosham

Tandem at Bosham

Our leaders

Tandem at Bosham

Pleased to be cycling in the sunshine


The Family ride from Purbrook went to Hambledon and beyond... Tandemists at Hambledon

In Hambledon

photo: David Wilde

Tandem picture

En route

photo: David Wilde

Tandem picture

Picnic

photo: David Wilde

Tandem picture

Riders returning to Fort Purbrook

Tandem picture

Riders returning to Fort Purbrook