Mick organised and led this late summer tour that started in Tunbridge Wells and looped clockwise, to the coast at Pevensey Bay, following the coastal NCN2 to Folkestone then returning inland via Ashford and Tenterden. Originally there were 12 riders but last minute problems with knees, pelvis and covid meant four regretfully had to pull out leaving Carol, Graham, Mark, Mick, Peter, Ray, Rod, Sue P for the tour.
DAY 1: Sunday, 3rd September, Tunbridge Wells to Hastings [42.5 miles, 763 mtr ascent]
An early start today as 3 cars plus bikes and cyclists headed for the meet up point in Tunbridge Wells. An 80 mile drive before our planned departure on bikes at 9.30 am. Starting time was delayed slightly as a pair of cycling gloves went walk-about and needed to be found. This gave Mark the ideal opportunity to blast his whistle to warn our front cyclists of the delay and wake up nearby residents for their Sunday morning stroll.
The hilly tree-lined route took us South, following part of "The Avenue Verte Cycle Route" (London to Paris) to Heathfield where we picked up the Cuckoo Trail and followed this converted railway line to Hailsham. We lunched at The George Wetherspoons pub, sitting outside in the glorious sunshine.
Lunch at The George in Hailsham
After refreshments we continued on to Bexhill-on-Sea for an ice-cream stop and then pressed on for the last 5 miles to Hastings Travelodge. Dinner was at the John Logie Baird Wetherspoons. It was an eventful first day, with chain slippages, pannier problems, a stressful cleat jam for Peter, loss and retrieval of Ray, loss and retrieval of Ray's battery control, Rod's sudden liking for ditches and backward flips and Sue's panic over a battery charging cable problem. However, we won through all these trials and tribulations and really gelled as a team.
DAY 2: Monday, 4th September, Hastings to Folkestone [45.7 miles, 353 mtr ascent]
We thought this would be an easier ride today but were proved wrong. The wind was against us and the sun beat down! There was little shade along the coastal path. On leaving Hastings the first 3.5 miles contained most of the ascent and Rod's ebike motor overheated and stopped working on the climb. Panniers were redistributed and fingers crossed, which worked, as once the motor cooled the ebike (and Rod) sprang into life again. After 4 miles we reached Fairlight viewpoint and the Jubilee beacon, where we were able to get our breath back and look forward to the big downhill section we could see ahead.
Jubilee Beacon at Fairlight
We then followed the NCN2 along the exposed but scenic coastal path (bird sanctuary route) which felt like a step back in time with sheep grazing on the open land and little sign of the modern world. We arrived in historic Rye after 14 miles and chose a family bakery for coffee/cake/sausage rolls while a friendly local Big Issue seller minded our bikes. From Rye we cycled down another scenic path to Camber and then on to Dungeness. We were all surprisingly tired - guess it was the strong headwind and sun - and were pleased to stop at Denge (we spied the local railway train twice). Here we viewed the acoustic sound mirrors across the RSPB site. These were built between 1916-1930 and were intended to provide early warning of enemy airplanes/airships approaching across the English Channel. They were a forerunner of radar.
Sound mirror at RAF Denge
From Denge we rode through Lydd-on-Sea and arrived in Dymchurch for a late lunch stop. Dymchurch was very busy and bread had almost sold out at the local bakery! Our next stop was Hythe, where we discovered the impressive Royal Military Canal, which was built by manual labour between 1804 and 1809 and runs from Folkestone to Hastings, 28 miles in total. We continued on and arrived in Folkestone after 45.7 miles. During the day Carol's saddle had developed a problem, which was fixed, and Rod suffered a puncture, which was also fixed, with theories of cause and effect explored.
It had been a full and long day and we were pleased to book into the Grand Burstin Hotel on the harbour front. All were weary but managed dinner at either the Grand Harbour Inn or Samuel Peto Wetherspoons, with a group drink in the Samuel Peto before bedtime. It was such a welcoming and impressive building - see photo below - that we decided to meet for breakfast there the following day. A good night's sleep was needed but a 4.20 am fire alarm shattered the peace!
Samuel Peto pub, Folkestone
Day 3: Tuesday. 5th September, Folkestone to Tenterden [34 miles 625 mtr ascent]
Following breakfast we set off in the sunshine for today's ride. A steep cobbled and bumpy downhill on leaving the pub caused pannier issues for Ray. Steep uphills in the heat after this caused problems for all of us and it took most of the morning to climb out of Folkestone. At the top we had a bird's eye view of the Eurotunnel terminal - Peter was especially engrossed in the view!
Some miles further on we mislaid Mick (as his Garmin had crashed) and Ray went on a search and rescue mission, soon followed by Rod. All returned safely! After 22 miles we stopped for lunch in Ashford - unexpectedly at another Wetherspoons (4 in 3 days). We ate in the shade in the garden and then had a brief cycling tour of the town before heading for Tenterden. At Bethersden we had another stop and ice-cream to try to cool down in the shade. From there it was a short hop to the King Hotel, Tenterden, where we were well looked after and had an excellent Indian meal at their restaurant, following drinks on the terrace.
The last supper - Tenterden
Day 4: Wednesday, 6th September, Tenterden to Tunbridge Wells [31.7 miles 852 mtr ascent]
A lumpy/bumpy day following the NCN18 to Bedgebury National Pinetum and cafe. A picturesque location with lake views from the cafe.
Following the stop and 9 miles from the end of the route Rod's ebike failed again on the steep ascents. This time there was no recovery of power. Weighty panniers and battery were redistributed across the group, enthusiastically watched over by happy Labrador Jasper and his friendly owner. With a heavy heart ( and bike ) Rod began to pedal…..