I decided to cycle this next bit of the South coast for a couple of reasons. Firstly because I would be journeying through Portsmouth City and then Southampton. Secondly it would take me days and I’m not that keen to walk cities or suburbia. I completed the first section Langstone to Gosport in 2020 between lockdowns.
Since cycling the Southdowns Way, I always pack lights fully charged as I’m a bit keen and never manage to cycle as fast as I think I will (Richard will attest to that as we’ve often ended up slogging along at dusk). Obviously I pack other stuff according to the weather.
I got the train in the morning to Havant and then cycled to the start of the bridge to Hayling Island. I looked across Langstone Harbour (of oyster fame) towards the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. The weather was fine but there was quite a breeze off the sea.
I couldn’t say how far I’d get because I have no idea what terrain or obstacles I may come across. I wanted to get as far as I could before it got dark.
I joined the Solent Way again and hit my first hurdle a kissing gate, clearly this is not meant for cycling but I got through it with a bit of brute force and ignorance (this was a mistake as you will see later), along the trail the sea wall was broken and I had to pick my way across the sodden ground. It’s amazing because Langstone Harbour never looks that rough being a shallow inlet but, I guess it it does have its moments. Really the whole area of the shore is reclaimed marsh so it’s very vulnerable and the wall is not that high!
This part of the ride was quite nice and so was looking over Farlington Marshes. The only down side was the constant noise from the M27. Farlington Marsh is a draw for birdwatchers and if I haven’t gained anything from my ride I’ve discovered a few places to bring my dad for the birds
While cycling in a slightly quieter spot. I had already seen a flock of gold finches fly over my path then I heard a familiar sound of bull finches. A few bird watchers also turned to the “school boy” whistle could it be Bullfinches? You can imagine my embarrassment when I realised it was me! My front brake had developed a squeak!
I carried on as near to the sea as I could and around to the Landing Stage where the ferry goes across to Hayling and saw this couple Winkling. I chatted to them for a bit and they let me take the photo although the chap was not keen for me to show his face! I’m not sure he’d be too impressed with what I actually got! The girl explained they sell them to restaurants in France! At the point I took the picture they were washing them and I was able to look at them. Winkles or Periwinkles are a vegetarian snail that lives on algae.
I cycled on to Southsea, Spice Island and Portsmouth, it’s interesting in its own right and worth visiting for the history.
Cycling it is a bit boring to write about, especially trying to get around Portsmouth Harbor. I did eventually pick up the Pilgrims trail and then around Port Solent to Porchester Castle.
This is worth a mention, a Norman Castle on a Roman site sat in what was once marshes I’m guessing. It’s impressive. I didn’t stop here as I’ve been here many times.
I carried on to Farham, wrestled with a second Kissing gate onto a sports field and golf club. Here I was overtaken by men (my age) running in a group. How demoralising is that! I caught up with them when they stopped to rest at a gate and felt grateful for their good humoured assistance getting my bike over (no more kissing gates for me). I cycled with them for a short way then made my way down to the Military town of Gosport as the light was fading fast by now.
I caught the ferry to Portsmouth and home on the train. I’d cycled 37 miles!
The Travelling Bee 