Archive - Regular rides
Our rides are; every Wednesday evening at 20:30 from The Chequers pub in Laddingford, about 20 to 30 miles and every Saturday at from between 07:00 and 08:00 also from The Chequers. Any additional rides or cycling events that we are attending will be listed below or in the News section.
Thursday 19th May 2011 - 04:00 Laddingford to Paris
Sunday 15th May 2011 - 07:00 Castle Ride
One of the most popular rides in the south east the Castle Ride attracts 1,000 riders on this event. The North Downs offer up some big climbs including the mile long climb of Hollingbourne Hill along the way. Quiet lanes make the route through England’s garden a real joy to ride even though this is a tough one. The choice of 100km or 100-mile routes set off from the grounds of Tonbridge Castle. We are doing the ahem...100km route! More details here. Route details are here.
Sunday 20th March 2011- 08:30 VO2 Sportive
The 65km route which we are doing takes in some stunning scenery around Kent, following the first and last parts of the 120km route. Starting in front of the amazing Fosse Bank School the route loops you around a small anti clock-wise circuit before heading to Shipbourne to the first climb of the route - Shipbourne Hill. From there the route winds across to Knole Park in Sevenoaks and descends River Hill entering Weald village. From Weald the route heads to Chiddingstone and around Bough Beech where it climbs the 2nd major climb of Ide Hill. At the top is the first feed station. After taking in the scenery and some food the course descends into Sundridge and climbs Toys Hill. Descend into Four Elms, where the two distances split. The 65km taking a left heading back to Bough Beech village where the 120km route re-joins the course. The route then goes up Station Hill in Chiddingstone Causeway and in to Penshurst where you climb Rouges Hill then descend back in to Leigh before heading up Victory Hill where you finish back at the School. More details here. Route details here.
Wedsnesday 2nd Mar 2011 - 20:30 around 27 miles Staplehurst & back
Saturday 26th Feb 2011 - 07:00 around 30 miles
Wedsnesday 23rd Feb 2011 - 20:30 around 27 miles Staplehurst & back
Sunday 20th Feb 2011 - 11:00 distance unknown
Saturday 19th Feb 2011 - 07:00 distance unknown
Wednesday 16th Feb 2011 - 20:30 around 27 miles Staplehurst & back
Saturday 12th Feb 2011 - 40 miles You can see the route here
Des has combined our Scotney castle run from last month with the second part of last weeks run to give us a 40 miler. A couple of pointers that might help on a couple of easy to miss junctions (especially for those using sat nav instead of their brains!). After going through Horsmonden, there's a right turn at about 6.5 miles onto Brick Kiln Lane - from memory, this might also be sign-posted "Horsmonden Old Church", which might make it easier to spot. At about mile 9, we take a right down a narrow lane; there should be a pub on the corner and the lane should be signposted for the National Trust property "Finchcocks" (and possibly Scotney Castle), should be traffic free as it's really only an access road for the NT properties which is likely to be closed this time of year. At about 18.5 miles, we take a sharp right at Winchett Hill, through Curtisden Green, from there on it should be familiar to last weeks saturday run. For anyone wanting a shorter run, there's lots of options, e.g. head back at Horsmonden, go straight back towards Marden from Winchett Hill, or turn round at Staplehurst.
Wednesday 9th Feb 2011 - 20:30 around 22 miles Staplehurst & back
Sunday 6th Feb 2011 - 13:30 Harry's "King of the Mountains" ride 36 miles. You can see the route below and here
This ride usurps the one mentioned below and probably for the best as the Garmin does not like me at the moment! Harry will test us on a chunk of hills and we will do at least 35 miles. Out through West Peckham and up to Borough Green round the back of Meopham and then wend our way home.
Saturday 5th Feb 2011 - 07:45 around 30 miles Goudhurst, Staplehurst & back. You can see the route below and here
Des is leading and describes the ride as “a few hills but nothing too daft, and a wee climb back through Chainhurst to keep the legs warm....anyone short of time can peel off at Winchet Hill or Staplehurst, anyone fancying a longer ride can either stretch out towards Smarden or add a loop or two back nearer home....we should be getting familiar with this area now, so hopefully won’t get lost!!”