North Kent Coastal Ride: Faversham to Broadstairs
17 July 2004
Despite this ride along the north Kent coast being plagued by outbursts of very heavy showers eight of us got to enjoy this great coastal route. We rode along the edges of a thunderstorm for most of the afternoon so got some spectacular lightning shows.
First stop after getting off the train at Faversham was Whitstable harbour for fresh sea food - whelks, oysters, prawns, mussels and more. This coincided with a heavy rain shower so we had an extended tea stop in the yacht club cafe.
Finally we got going again soon getting on to the coastal path. Then it was puncture time as Steve's "guaranteed for one year against punctures" rear tyre deflated. Time for us to have a walk on the pebble beach, dip our toes in the sea and do some stone skimming. Now at Herne Bay the heavens opened for the biggest downpour of the day. Eight of us plus two walkers huddled under a tiny roofed information board trying to keep vaguely dry. Half an hour later and all was clear to carry on through a nice off-road section along the cliff top taking us to Reculver and the ruined church and Roman fort.
Having lost so much time to the rain it was only now we got round to having a very late lunch stop at Birchington. Two then got the train back from there and the remainder carried on round the coast. We were now in glorious sunshine lighting up the white cliffs and quickly drying the roads. We had to tackle a couple of nasty hills as we rounded the northern tip of Kent and made our way to Broadstairs train station but no complaints as our route had been 90% flat and with the wind behind us.
A ten minute wait for the train and off we headed back to London. An excellent ride of about 30 miles splendidly lead by Steve. On a less rain interrupted day we would have easily made it round to Deal. And finally a well done to Deb, one of our Bike Buddy scheme members who came along and successfully completed her first Wheelers ride.
Owen
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Steve fixes his puncture while others head for the beach
Gary goes for a dip in the sea
Gary goes for a dip in the rain
The joys of an English summer...
The coastal path heading towards Birchington
Steve tucks into spotted dick and Stella
A 100m trudge across the sand was needed to meet up with the next section of path
The sun finally arrived!
Ride leader looking cool
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