Hop Garden 200 - 9 May 2010

[citoyen]

Any other forumites doing this tomorrow?

I've heard lots of good things about this ride from previous years so looking forward to it. The early hilly section could be tough as I'm planning to ride fixed. Though it's not too late to change my mind on that...

d.

[Cyklisten]

it's a cracking ride .... see you in the morning!

[aregister]

I'll be there.
And I think Teapot as well.

[citoyen]

Ah, the usual suspects! See you tomorrow.

Fingers crossed the weather improves by the morning.

d.

[Cyklisten]

it is supposed to clear up a bit. The ford looks good on Google Street 

[Martin]

enjoy; Friars Gate is my favourite way up the forest and it's especially bloomy atm;

going for a Stonehenge wimp-out instead, my scar tissue won't cope with Star Hill or whatever the last one's called.

not often a decision to ride Sun rather than Sat pays off weatherwise...

[Cyklisten]

That'll be Birling Hill (Holly Hill on routesheet) and then there's a nice little sting on White Hill Road. Worth  saving a few calories for 

[citoyen]

What a lovely ride! Great route, great company. Quite challenging on fixed (Mike Friday and I were among the last three finishers) but no one saw me walking up any of the hills so it officially didn't happen.

V.cold all day - what happened to spring? - but at least it didn't rain. And for us slow coaches, the sun even made a brief appearance towards the end.

d. 

[Cyklisten]

Yes, top ride - Well done on the fixed, Smudge!

Great day on the road with a mix of the usual suspects and one or two others out on their 'longest ride'. Excellent route with plenty of scenery to have ago at and good cafe stops. Many thanks to 'Team Jackson' for running the event.

Mrs Cyklisten was out with her camera at strategic places on the route and a number (300+) of great pictures have resulted. After a quality control cull, a selection will find it's way onto www.cyklisten.co.uk (Hop Garden) in due course.

Worth noting that the aforementioned Citizen Smudge once again braved the watery perils (this time at Fairwarp)  as did everyone else .... except one, who didn't spot the camera until it was to late! - we know who you are!

 
 

[citoyen]

Worth noting that the aforementioned Citizen Smudge once again braved the watery perils (this time at Fairwarp)

Didn't get my feet wet this time! Lucky, really - that ford looks like it has the potential to be pretty deep, but the water level was surprisingly low given the amount of rain we had last week.

d.

[aregister]

After a quality control cull, a selection will find it's way onto www.cyklisten.co.uk (Hop Garden) in due course.

Hey, Cyklisten I'm not sure I recognise anybody on this link:
   Hop Garden 2010
Although the dog on the surfboard looks a little familiar. I think he passed me just after Tenterden.

[citoyen]

By jove, Cyklisten, you do hang out with some very attractive young people! 

d.

[Cyklisten]

You boys!  ... pix now online www.cyklisten.co.uk

[aregister]

Many thanks to you and Mrs Cyklisten (tak!) for another great set of photos.