The weather came up trumps for our ride to Canterbury on Thursday and Friday. A cool breeze but warm sunshine, such a change from last weekend! Eight of us set off from Epsom, with plenty of hills to warm us up: Epsom Downs, then up to Caterham the steep way. After elevenses at Woldingham we took a risk and cycled up the closed road, a big hill. Luckily we weren't turned back at the top, and headed east along the downs, partly on the Pilgrim's Way.
Otford for lunch in the sun, where we met the off-road riders, who were doing more of the Pilgrim's Way than we were, and then on more quiet lanes to Rochester, which we didn't see at its best - a mile or two of heavy traffic provided an unwelcome escort to our youth hostel, a converted Oast House.
Friday was promised to be flatter, but not initially. We rode along the bank of the river Medway, with views across to the isle of Sheppey (would you believe some people thought it was the north bank of the Thames?). Elevenses at Sittingbourne, with even more traffic than Rochester, and then Steve found a nice pub for lunch, the Phoenix at Faversham, with a sunny beer garden and very generous food portions. The lanes were especially beautiful and quiet as we got nearer to Canterbury, often bordered by apple orchards full of blossom.
The final approach to Canterbury was along the Crab & Winkle Way, a delightful off road route that led us to an expansive view of Canterbury Cathedral in the valley below, before coasting down into the city itself, where we celebrated with tea and cake on the High Street.
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| Admiring the Medway |
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| Faversham |
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| First view of Canterbury |
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