Meeting Points

Meet : by the ticket machine @ Catford (not Catford Bridge) station 0745 for the 0802 to Bromley South
Or Andrew Fergar @ Bromley South forecourt, 0815 for the 0834 to Charing
Please purchase a return ticket to Charing (Kent)
We arrive in Charing at 09:35
Nb – for those wishing to travel direct from London Victoria – the train that we all board in Bromley leaves from there at 08:18

The Ride

Not a particularly difficult ride – a moderate pace and suited to cyclists used to some distance, the ride also features few hills along the way, passing through classic English countryside with  many villages and leafy lanes to enjoy, mainly away from major traffic. We'll stop for lunch at The Six Bells in Woodchurch, near Appledore, and will probably be back in Charing for the 16:13 return train, perhaps earlier if possible.  

48 miles – 2000 feet of ascent

Report

Katie was due to meet Squadron Leader Trevor Hughes at Catford, but alack, Trevor had to bow out so 1 at Catford, then at Bromey South it was Captain Andrew Fergar with Daniella, Jane, Jurek, Pippa that we alighted the next onto Charing. We discovered that Jan (His Teutonicness) was already on that train - we then picked up Ian at Otford (keen to pack in his 100 for the day) and as we pulled into Charing, Helen was awaiting.

As Andrew had elaborated before the ride, there was around 2000ft of climbing, but nothing hugely significant. From Charing we set out in a north and easterly direction (always with Ashford a few miles away but cleverly never venturing within its tasty environs) pootling through Charing Heath and over the M20, and thence into the far countryside with not many villages in this early stage. The low sunlight was still struggling to break through but the undulating aumtumnal landscape was a
delight. Just after Southenden Jurek and Pippa unfortunately had to bail, and Helen discovered a large thorn in her tyre, and before she could say 'scheisse', the puncture faerie struck.

After a rapid fix and with the sun coming out, it was only a few miles to Biddenden where it was our intention to visit the cider farm there. Helen purchased some tea and some of us purchased something stronger, whilst testing some of the produce that we were taking away (the pink fizzy was delicious)! It was to our dismay that a whole coach-load of senior citizens had just pulled up so we quickly skedaddled. By now we were feeling rather peckish for the lunch stop and as Jane and I saw a sign for Woodchurch in 3 miles, we spurred our effortsand raced towards the pub.

The Five Bells in Woodchurch is right next to another attractive pub (much respect to the village), and Andrew had rather thoughtfully booked us in. Hmmmm. Not the best service or food we have had. A) we had to wait a while for the food, even though there were not many diners. B) My rib-eye steak was OK but for £11.95 it just didn't taste of anything. C) Worse was to come, when they completely missed Jan's order. D) When it eventually turned up the fish was raw on the inside, although Jan loves sushi, he would have preferred his sardines to have been cooked through. Might need to try the pub next door next time.

We left the pub at a late 2.30, although we only had a mere 18 miles go. The temperature had dropped and it was a relief to get some inclines and warm the blood up. The foray through Orlestone Lodge and the accompanying woods was rather pretty and literally there were no villages, just more signs pointing towards Ashford. for the next few miles it was literally over railway line and under Motorway and our lanes kept hitting the A-roads. A few miles from Charing we checked the clock, it was 4pm and we had 12 minutes to get the train. We pushed and got onto platform with one minute to go! Alas we could not say goodbye to Helen and Ian, who were wending their way onto Tonbridge and Orpington, but enjoyed the journey back with much yawning and gawping at all the Kentians travelling in huge numbers into London.

48 miles, inclines but not many hills, lovely landscapes and fabulous company and laughs - many thanks to Captain Andrew for leading a wonderful ride . Just don't mention the war.

Prepared by our reporter : Katie Collis