Whether it was the unexpected bonus of a fine sunny morning or the magnetic pull of the tea shop at Penshurst I don’t know but there were 13 riders on today’s club ride including new member Chris out for the first time. A stiff head wind from the South West meant we had to work hard in places but we bowled along at a good pace to Lingfield and on the climb through Dormansland. The lanes from there to Cowden provided good shelter and after Cowden the early lunch brigade left us to return home. From Cowden the route took the scenic though lumpy route through Bassetts to White Post crossroads. At this point the leader (who was leading from the back) lost half the peleton who had seen a sign for Penshurst and assumed this was the intended route. The leader however took the road to Walters Green and the subsequent climb to Fordcombe and then the road to Penshurst.
After tea and cake at Quaintways it was time for the return journey through Chiddingstone Causeway, Hever, Edenbridge and Lingfield. By this time the South Westerly had changed to more Southerly and we made good time to be back by 13.30 after 53 miles. Not one of our longer rides but very enjoyable nonetheless. Graham.