Pete's ride today ticked all the boxes: interesting destinations, quiet roads, fantastic views and countryside, lots of lovely downhills, and warm sunshine. It was a journey into the unknown for most of us, including, to a certain extent, our leader, who hadn't been able to recce the ride beforehand. Armed only with an OS map and plenty of helpful advice from twenty riders, we set off from Canterbury, almost immediately reaching a deserted lane out of town. It must be said that there were a few serious hills - perhaps you can blame Kent for that - but otherwise a most enjoyable ride to elevenses at Elham Vinery, sitting outside in the sun. Several more undulating lanes took us to a viewpoint high on the hill overlooking Folkestone in the distance, and the Channel Tunnel rail terminal immediately below us. We paused for a while, taking the air (or was it gasping for air?), then enjoyed a lovely downhill into Hythe, where we joined NCN2 along the Royal Military Canal, built in the Napoleonic wars, but now transporting cyclists to West Hythe and a micro-brewery, a great find.
The return route was even better: 80% of it must have been long gentle, scenic downhills. Unfortunately this meant that another 10% was rather steep uphills, but we did have a most enjoyable ride, topped off by a few miles back into Canterbury on a track through fields beside the river Stour.
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| Viewpoint |
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| Look! A train! |
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| Daniel relaxing after the hill out of West Hythe |
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