Across the Medway valley to the pilgrims way [40-45 miles]      

This ride will suit all abilities - Leader: Andrew Fergar [contact 07717693701, no texts please] or Email : kayacan@aol.com 

There's a choice of two meeting points and two possible trains [but please purchase a return ticket to Bearstead]: Meet Trevor at the main ticket office, London Bridge station, concourse entrance @  08:40-08:55 [ 09:18 to West Malling, arriving 09:58] or Andrew @ Bromley South station forecourt @ 09:05 - 09:20. [Bromley South @ 09:37, arrival West Malling @ 10:06]      

This should be a great autumnal country ride ....Cycling in an easterly direction across the beautiful country of the Medway valley, mostly      using country lanes, we'll stop after 20 miles or so for some at lunch in the ancient village of Horsmonden, [pub food or bring your own lunch] then continue, crossing the rivers Tiese, Buelt and Len, climbing up to follow part of the Pilgrims Way, ending at The Black Horse at Thurnham at around 15:30, where there's the option of drinks and good food, train to London later, or you can catch the train back to  London Bridge from the local station, Bearsted [1.5 miles, and an escort to the station].      

Terrain: mostly flat, with small hills at the beginning, one climb towards the end.      

This ride is being organised by the Bromley cyclists group.

Report

The day began with Nick and Urik meeting Trevor at London Bridge Station, and Charles and Ian met Andrew at Bromley South. The group rendezvoused at West Malling and sped off for the day's ride. Andrew led the way onto a splendid route through the leafy lanes of Kent, past oast houses orchards and pretty old pubs. A brief stop was made stop at Yalding to see the medieval church and Bridge, and eventually we lunched at The Wild Duck pub at Marden Thorn [Where we were given some Apples, which were saved from shipment to Eire- so many are sent now and made into Magners 'Irish' Cider!!] ..... We pedalled on over the hills [not too many, but something to work the lunch off] and enjoyed the increasingly beautiful day by riding along many quiet and comparitively traffic free country roads, then made a brief ascent onto the Pilgrims way, which we followed for a few more miles to The Black Horse at Thurnham. To celebrate a fine ride and the good company, the small band toasted with a pint [or two, for those who stayed!] Before heading back to the 'big smoke' from the local station, Bearsted......Sadly, there were no snaps, Trevor forgot to load the memory card into his camera!!