London - Canterbury (almost) via Tonbridge
6 February 2005
O.K. so it's early February and it's not too cold, what do you do? Go on a 100-mile ride of course. So, at 06:30 on a Sunday morning 5 sad souls meet on the Green Bridge. The culprits, Grace; new to me but, apparently, recruited by Gary, Colin, Gary, Steve and myself.
As it is still cold and very dark we set off almost immediately once some introductions are done. A very short and fast blast takes us down to the foot tunnel and across the river. Once on the other side we encounter our only mechanical breakdown. I have no gears and the prospect of 100 miles in one gear is not one I would undertake. After some pointless riding round while trying everything I know (that's not much) to get the bike to behave I throw myself on the mercies of Gary and Steve. Eventually, after much effort Gary has to split the chain in order to get at the rear derailleur and effect some running repairs. All this takes about 45 minutes in semi-darkness. Thanks to you both for your assistance. I think that I need some proper lessons in cycle maintenance at the workshop.
Once back on the road we climb up through Greenwich Park and cross Blackheath, bypassing the village and work our way through the nether regions of south-east London. Some of which I know and lots are completely new to me. I had thought that we would bash down the main roads over Shooters Hill and stuff like that but our intrepid leader was intent on demonstrating his map reading skills and utilising the TfL cycle-map.
Not a lot happened apart from a very early realisation by myself that I was not in good cycling condition. Every hill found me dropping further and further behind. I put it down to the fact that I had done 50 miles on a CTC ride the day before. Truth, I am unfit which is a sad state for someone who is supposed to be in training for the London Marathon.
Eventually we escaped form the urban sprawl and found ourselves in Kent proper and after crossing the M25 skirted Sevenoaks. We continued via Ightam, Borough Green, West Peckham, East Peckham, Nettleshead, and Wateringbury and eventually stopping at Yalding. Lunch was extremely welcome, as we had already done over 40 miles. I reckoned that 30 miles must have been hilly.
The afternoon session started with about 5 miles of flat road. Through lots of picturesque villages we went and headed for Tonbridge. This was definitely one of those rides which the CTC describe as picturesque, meaning hilly.
Finally as the daylight was beginning to fade I had to surrender to the amazing tiredness in my legs and at Kilndown decided that I had to get to a station and return home. Maybe I was not the only one who was suffering as the group quickly agreed to set off to Marden and the train back to London. There was still a little surprise, as we had to negotiate a nasty 'chevron' to get up to Goudhurst. From there it was all downhill to Marden which we made just before the light had completely faded.
Lots of thanks to Grace, Colin, Gary and Steve for keeping me going on the toughest ride I have done for a long time. Additional thanks are due to Gary and Steve for mechanical assistance without which I would have spent a quiet day at home.
Lastly I must not forget to report that the boys completed the ride with a few pints of Mr Wetherspoon's ale at Liverpool Street.
Scorecard
Riders: 5
Mileage: 67
Deflates: None, unless the slow I pumped up at London Bridge is counted
Hills: Lots
Weather: Good as there was no rain
Enjoyment: High, especially if you like torture.
Thanks
Ken Peters
P.S. For those who don't know, a Chevron is marked on maps to indicate very steep roads. Some times you are lucky enough to have to cycle up roads that have double chevrons. Cycling life being what it is you very rarely get to cycle down roads with chevrons. That is another of the unwritten laws.
|
Grace, Steve, Colin and Gary doing last minute checks
Not completely light and Steve consults the map
Lunch at The Walnut Tree Yalding
Steve, Grace, Ken and Gary at lunch
Afternoon route planning
|
