Thanks to everyone who came along- shame we couldn't have spent longer in the pub- it's so cosy and quirky- I will try and plan a ride that actually ends there so those that like such things can imbibe and relax to their hearts content and then just pootle the 2 miles or so to Faversham station (that would include me). I would like to thank Alan for his local knowledge and, I think now, much better route out of Bearsted than I had originally planned. Ian and Jurek, too, for tail ending a lot of the way and sorting many of the mechanicals so quickly and unobtrusively I was hardly aware of their occurrence. Thanks to everyone for the banter, chat and cheer despite the fact that this is not a largely flat ride after the hill at the beginning, as I had described it and that is what some of you were expecting. I kept hitting a hill and thinking, oh dear, I forgot about this one. As I said on the ride, there must be some cyclist mental mechanism similar to the one women have that has enabled the massive growth of the human race- you just forget how bad it was after you've done it, until you do it again. (and that could mean either of two things). Thanks also to Jurek for reminding me quickly enough whenever I missed a turn so we only had a few yards to backtrack. Great to see Butterfy and Clarion, Gary and Jan who I hadn't seen for a while on a ride and to meet Poppy- love at first sight on my part. Respect to AH for descending the hill with Ian at what must have been breakneck speed after her visitation. And sorry Wow, this time my cherry(ies) remained firmly in my Barley as I forgot all about the cake I made for the ride. Mario's munching it right now for his pudding. So sorry you were having a tough time with your wrist- my apologies if my ride description was a bit misleading. If I wasn't such a dinosaur I would have GPS and you would have had prior knowledge. Anyway, if we hadn't had to wait a bit for you and Jan we would have missed that glorious bit of the ride at the end.
Thanks also to Gary and Alan (B) ( although they may not see this) for the chance to tease (wearing shorts on what turned out to be a very cold descent of a long, steep hill in the dark- tee hee, made me feel toasty warm.)
We ended the ride in the dark, crisp and clear autumn air under a practically full moon with the lights of Maidstone twinkling in the distance from our extended viewpoint along the Pilgrims Way. Absolutely beautiful and made up for not going on the FNRttC very nicely, thank you. And thanks to you all- goodnight.
