Earlier in the Year we checked out Salterns Way, Chichester using two of our bicycles, The Entrada and the Crescendo Extra-Light.
Below some pictures of our Cycle Ride.
The Entrada
A 7 Speed, Hub Geared Commuting/Touring Dutch Bicycle
Pictured above, The Entrada Spirit at West Witherings, West Sussex
In February 2008, we took the shop's demonstration Entrada, which is the Entrada Spirit model as one of our bikes for riding the recently opened Salterns Way Cycle and Wheelchair route. We're currently putting together a Cycle Guide for this and the surrounding areas, called Coastal Cycling in West Sussex and I choose the Entrada so as to give it a good try out on rougher grounds.
About the Route
The Salterns Way takes the rider/walker/wheelchair user from the Centre of Chichester City all the way out out to the area known as West Head which takes in some splendid views of the harbour and across to Hayling Island.
The route winds around Chichester Harbour, an area of outstanding natural beauty and has lots of wonderful places to stop off and admire views, as well as perhaps sinking the occasional pints of Guinness, and or, enjoying a nice pub lunch.
The total distance for the route is 17km and the terrain varies wildly from road surfaces to riding on rough ground alongside farmer's fields.
Initially, I was worried that given it was February that the ground would be unsuitable for Entrada, but I was wrong. Entrada and the other bike we took, Stacatto took the rougher terrain effortlessly and despite the mud and rough ground it managed the route without any problems.
About the Entrada
The Entrada is a 7 speed, Shimano Nexus Hub Geared bike with Shimano hub geared bike with Shimano Roller Brakes on a cromly steel frame with aluminium rims. Front hub powered dynamo lights with rear battery lights, side stand, rear touring carrier with webbing straps and of course puncture resistant tyres with an extra comfy Selle Royal Gel saddle provide a really top end spec'd bike for a budget price.
Entrada also has a fully enclosed chain guard, splash guards and you can easily adjust the front handlebar position by using an allen key.
Entrada Deluxe is also available
The Entrada comes in two options - Spirit, which is the bike we used for our Salterns Way Ride and also Entrada Deluxe.The Deluxe model comes with the addition of front suspension and a suspended seat post.
Some pictures taken of The Saltern's Way ride follow - we'll be publishing our Coastal Cycling Guide shortly.
For anyone thinking of cycling this route, we can thoroughly recommend it. Salterns Way is a truly beautiful ride, ideal for family cycling and there's lots to see.
Picture above, Entrada And Stacatto outside Chichester Cathedral, which is the official starting point for The Saltern's Way.
Entrada takes to the fields! Some of the off-route leads you down paths and around fields. Entrada took all these surfaces in it's stride. You can see in the picture the front hub dynamo light which you can adjust to either see the road ahead of you or raise it up so as to be seen while riding in traffic etc.
The route uses a number of gates to stop motorcyle riders entering The Satern's Way. Getting through them is easy enough. You don't have to lift your bike, just park it in the holding pen area, open the gate and away you go. However, were you towing a trailer, either a cargo trailer or child trailer you will have to un-hitch the trailer and take it through separately.
Chichester Harbour is an area of outstanding natural beauty and it really is wonderful to be finally able to cycle all around it and enjoy the views from a bicycle. Much credit must go to West Sussex County Council, Chichester Conservancy and Heritage Lottery for funding the route. Thanks also in no small part to the local land owners who have allowed the route cross their fields and through their farms.
You really do ride everywhere on this route, from roads to fields and even through woods and over canal bridges.
Cycle along the water's edge and breath in the fresh, sea air. Wonderful. what cycling is all about.
St Nicolas Church. Just one of the many beautiful buildings to see and visit along the route.
A boat taking advantage of the tides to carry out some winter bottom scrubbing.
The route is well signposted throughout. All you have to do is look out for the relatively small Salterns way markers as pictured above.
Take it easy, cycle a bike!
PRICES FOR ENTRADA
Entrada comes in either a step-through or step-over frame and is available in a number of sizes.
Price for Entrada Spirit £525
Price for Entrada Deluxe £607
Entrada comes in either a step-through or step-over frame and is available in a number of sizes.
Price for Entrada Spirit £525
Price for Entrada Deluxe £607