15th May Club run to Yalding
May 18, 2016After the usual social niceties were dispensed with and discussions concerning café destination (Yalding Tea Pot) and applicable route decided upon, we set of a cold but bright and only slightly breezy Sunday morning. Numbers only just reached into double figures which was slightly disappointing given the weather and time of year, however we left in equally bright (if slightly breezy) spirits.
We rode of past the back of Swanley Park through the village and into Horton Kirby where apart from a little fly tip hurdling up School Lane, all was peaceful and quite. This was until we re-grouped at the top of Wrotham Hill and flew down in our own individual interpretations of “break neck speed”. The split was as inevitable as if we had ridden back up it. We re-grouped on Teston Road heading towards Offham. As we passed the Spadeworks it was suggested that if anybody was feeling the pace and wanted to stop of early then this would be a good place. Pat and Lee took up this offer. A mad dash ensued past Kings Hill and into Mereworth where we jumped onto the A26 into Wateringbury. The pace eventually relented into Nettlestead before we all reached the tea pot full agreement that this stop was needed. The weather was trying to do its best to enhance the mood, when the sun shone through it was quite possibly short sleeve jersey’s and shorts but there was still a cold wind that could be felt when the sun was hidden behind the far to prevalent clouds.
Fed and watered (once Mac was settled on a sausage sandwich) we quickly got back out on the roads. We sauntered through the beautiful, blossoming lanes around East Peckham and Hadlow. Continuing on through Plaxtol, Stone Street and up through Seal and Kemsing to catch the end of the Pilgrims Way. Unfortunately at the back of the Wildernesse golf course just before Seal, Mac had a big blow out (or struck a sweet nine iron) which although everybody sat up, he was unable to fix and told us he’d call home for assistance. Anyhow back on the A225, all of us were still together but as often on this run to Eyensford we split. I’m not sure of the complete order at the hitting of the sign but won’t say who was first – as he’s an ex-member! A slower pace through Eynesford and onto Horton Kirby bought us all back together again for the final run/s home.
As mentioned earlier, a shame about the numbers but those who rode will agree it was those who didn’t come out were the ones who missed out. The ride, the route, the weather, the sights, the craic at the café but most of all, the ride.
Matthew.