The sky was a little dull and there was a light drizzle when I left home for London Bridge . I knew this kind of start to the day would put some people off from coming on a cycle ride. Experience and a glance at the forecast told me that the weather would probably turn out OK, it's very rare for it to rain all day in sufficient quantity to make riding an undesirable activity.

There were only three of us at London Bridge – Paul, Judith and Ian.

The weather gradually brightened as we approached Canterbury and by the time the train arrived the sun was out and the weather was warm. Canterbury is the only station I've come across to have a cycle shop on the platform, a bit of an oddity as it means potential customer who aren't using the trains have to ask permission of the ticket checker to come onto the platform.

We were soon on our way up the Crab and Winkle cycle route, passing nicely painted Sustrans mile markers, through Thorndon Wood and up to the coast at Whitstable. When you reach Whitstable and turn right the cycle path runs between the beach and the brightly painted beach huts and continues for miles and miles along the coast. It's a real revelation for anyone who hasn't cycled this stretch before and those that have cycled here will return again and again to take in the history, the quiet beaches, wildlife and mostly traffic free cycling

Just past Reculver , the site of a 1st century Roman fort, we had our first shower of the day. On went Pauls waterproof jacket and then as soon as he'd got it on it stopped and off it came. Five minutes later it was raining again and on went the waterproof. Ten minutes later it was sunny again and off came the waterproof.. Judith and I watched the ritual of the waterproof going on and off with some amusement as we made the decision to get a little wet and then dry in the warm sun.

The beaches had turned sandy by now. In this locale it had to be fish and chips for lunch. Unfortunately the beach cafes we passed weren't offering this basic seaside fare on their menus. We rolled into Margate , and we found a café along the main road on the seafront where we could get fish and chips.

When we passed Reculver we joined the Viking Coastal Trail , a 28 mile circular, recreational route for cyclists and walkers. As we made our way to the top of the chalk cliffs past Margate and were looking down on the sandy bays beneath us, Paul commented on how well this route was signed. I know from when we rode the Viking Coastal Trail earlier in the year (we weren't doing the whole route today) the signing really is good and it should probably get some kind of award. In addition to the good signing there are information boards everywhere informing you about the local history and wildlife. Top marks.

On we went through Dickens's Broadstairs ( Bleak House it appears is being renovated), through the port of Ramsgate, past the replica of a Viking ship, here we left the Viking Coastal Trail, and turned inland to Sandwich . We went straight through Sandwich stopping a couple of miles away at the site of another Roman fortification Richborough Castle .

The quiet Kent roads I had offered in the original ride description really were quiet and on the odd occasion we did meet a motorist they were quite happy to pull in on the narrow lanes to give us room pass. Even the farmer taking the cows home for milking was prepared to halt his heard to allow us pass.

We had a pub stop on the way back to Canterbury and then on arriving in the town we had a game of hunt the cathedral. You really would think that such a large building would be easy to find. After 15 minutes we found it but couldn't find a way in and gave up and decided to try and find the station. Finding the station was no problem and we were on our way back to London at 18:50.

The ride was 61 miles with 2000 feet of climbing.

Ian Pendleton.