Another strong turnout of 18 riders on a bright, breezy, and mild day and great to have Ralph out again on a midweek ride. The 18 became 19 when Tony Palmer, free of dog duties, caught up the main bunch on Long Mill Lane just prior to a major road flood causing us to do a brief detour. The climbing started up to Plaxtol and the route remained pretty lumpy all the way to the Teal cafe. Service and food were up to usual standards.
The route home was notable for David's saddle snapping so he pretty much stood in the pedals the whole way - some feat! The climbs of Gover Hill and Butchers Lane gave the lungs a good blow as usual and we returned to East Malling in good time after miraculously suffering no punctures on the ride. My stats were 31 miles at an average speed of 12.6mph and 2,650ft of ascents.
A good turnout of 17 ,with Richard leading left Wrotham on a dull morning for a stop at Beeches nursery and cafe at FourElms. A lumpy route took them out to Ivy Hatch and Stone Street, then the lovely descent of Carters Hill to the flat of Under River,and past Chiddingstone to the cafe. Fortunately another large group of cyclists were just leaving, and all our group was very impressed with the total refurbishment and quality of service,and will certainly be going there in the future. With rain threatening, Richard led off again, initially on the flat to Leigh and Hildenborough, where the puncture devil struck twice in a short distance with the groups separated. Tony Palmer later took the lead with a group, whilst Emma and Angie set too with expertise to mend Emma’s ,with arrangements to all meet up again at the finish. Inevitably,there had to be a hill to get up beforehand,and everyone managed Mote Road passing Ightham Mote to Ivy Hatch again with a few heavy gasps. By coincidence, both groups met up again and got back to Wrotham together with the rain falling quite heavily. A distance of 33.5 miles at about 12.5 mph and 2320 ft ascents.
A slightly delayed start at Ditton Community Centre,with a puncture repair,and most riders touring around the car park to keep warm on a dry but cold windy morning. Richard then led a group of 17 ,mainly directly into that westerly wind and headed to Poult Wood Golf Club for the break. The route was fairly traditional ,going out via Offham, Crouch and Dunks Green. The staff looked after the group well, and provided a pleasant break. .Hoping that the wind had not changed direction, Richard then led up to Plaxtol and fairly grotty country lanes to Ightham .and on to Wrotham and Birling before returning to Ditton without any incidents. A distance of 33.5 miles at a sedate 12.5 mph and 2326 ft ascents.
A sunny and dry start for the 16 setting off from Dickley Lane. Collecting Daniel at Lenham, a puncture on Windmill Hill and Matthew at Smarden. 18 of us descending on the Footprints Cafe at the Singleton Environmental Centre having escaped flooded roads and having negotiated some unnecessary road closures. Our own meeting room reserved for us we considered an impromptu extraordinary general meeting before being efficiently served and fed. Two bikes got the sulks whilst we were in the warm and deflated a tyre each. One puncture fixed in record time (watch out Gary - Mick is outsmarting you!) left a first group heading home in the drizzle through Pluckley and Charing Heath to reach Dickley Lane by 14:30. The second group down to four suffered another two punctures leaving them getting back after 15:00. A great ride although not without some challenges. 36 miles at an average of 13 mph with 1600 feet of ascents.
Route on Strava
Once again the sun shone in between many rainy days, and 16 all male riders started off from Yalding Station with Richard leading. An uneventful route via Marden to Grays cafe at Brenchley. Although a lengthy stop due to the numbers ,they coped very well and offered good value. On the return, Martin a new member’s chain snapped,and despite the Groups concerted efforts they were unable to fix it properly, Martin then left the group and walked with the bike to the cycle shop in Paddock Wood ,where it was fixed . For everyone else it was a flat ride back to Yalding via Golden Green and East Peckham. A distance of 30 miles at 13 mph average.
A pleasant sunny morning welcomed 14 riders to Yalding. Richard offered to lead and took a very looping route to Tonbridge, via Marden,Paddock Wood and Tudeley, They arrived just in time at Wetherspoons to take advantage of the breakfast menus,which was as good as ever. Getting back out after, and a shorter homeward bound route was equally uneventful via Poult Wood and East Peckham. A distance of 34 miles at about 13 mph average.
A really pleasant morning,and Russell suggested a ride to Whitstable. Eleven others joined his lead, and took a route out to Borden and Tunstall,then onto Rodmersham and Kingsdown to Painters Forstal. From there it was a nice wind assisted ride after Faversham to Graveney , Seasalter and a brief photo stop overlooking the sea wall. Carrying on along the flat ,the group found a new cafe stop in Whitstable ,aptly named Beach Cafe, which proved a nice value for money break. As usual on a seaside ride, Lisa found time at the break to go for a swim in the sea. ( Nuts). The return, and Russell took his group back through a Faversham to Teynham and Rodmersham again before adding a little loop through Oad Street to the finish,without any incidents or punctures. A distance of 44 miles and 2000 ft ascents at a modest 13 mph average.
A good turnout of 17 at the King & Queen on a dull, drizzly but thankfully not icy morning. Great to have Ron out with us with his e-Bike. A good pace with two groups the second led by Tony P through West Malling and Offham to St Mary Platt and Plaxtol. A smooth run through Tudeley and past the 'Save Capel' posters to Five Oak Green where Pete Searle peeled off. Into Paddock Wood for a great cafe stop at the Village Cafe with Ron and Tony P leaving us to enjoy it without their company. Andy TV's bike getting a fit of the sulks whilst we were in the warm greeted Andy on leaving with a flat. With Andy making his own way we had a good run back through Yalding and the final climb of Red Hill losing a few more riders who peeled off for their own rides home.
32.25 miles at an average of 12.8 mph with 1480 feet of ascent.
Those who came along for the ride:
19 valiant riders were at the start, 3 having riden in. Just after setting off a nasty fall left one of the team having to abandon the ride with another kindly ferrying him home. The obligatory warm up of Hubbards Hill then a new for me left turn off Waterditch Road just so we could ensure we did not miss the chance of off roading along one of the muckiest lanes of the route. First puncture of the day just before Kettle Hill followed by Haywards Hill and some great lanes to Sheldwich but not before the second puncture. Some great vistas along new lanes for many to our stop at Badgers Hill Farm Shop at Chilham. Revised route back as a result of our delays took us on an unplanned loop before rejoining the A252 to take us, minus 3 delayed by puncture 3, back to Charing Hill and along the North Downs to descend Hubbards Hill as a final treat. 34 miles at an average of 11.8 mph with 2300 feet of ascent.
The first ride of the new decade welcomed 9 riders to a cold Yalding Station Really good to have Andy Wood back in the flock after a long absence. With a group of 9 , Richard led on a very flat route to Headcorn with very light traffic around. To get a few extra miles in, there was a longish route out to Headcorn,only to find the cafes in the village shut on the Bank. Holiday, but fortunately the George and Dragon pub was open, and looked after the group well. A more direct and equally uneventful return route took the group through Staplehurst and Marden back to Yalding. A distance of 35 miles at about 13.5 mph average.
