North from Paddock Wood to Yalding then east shadowing the River Beult towards Headcorn. Before reaching Headcorn we turn south and then west and head back towards Paddock Wood.

Lunch in a pub probably in Staplehurst.

Easy paced , rolling ride, entirely on roads. Suitable for all types of bike.

Report

Anil, Bernard and Ian from London Bridge and Andrew, Andrew and Ian from Bromley met at Paddock Wood for the days Winter Weald ride.

There was a delayed start at Paddock Wood whilst most of the group shot off in the wrong direction whilst I was still organising myself at the station. It was a circular route with only two choices of direction and they all chose the wrong way. Low temperatures were making everyone a little too eager to get moving.

So it was out onto the very wet and quiet lanes with the many oast houses zipping by as the ride moved quickly eastwards with the brown muddy waters of the River Beult flowing fast and high to our right. The low lying land of the Weald was absolutely waterlogged  with fields and in some places the road lying underwater. At lower farm road with the road under water we missed the aquanautic antics of Bill; without him to test the water depth we cautiously crossed the submerged section. Bill had previously emailed me saying he had intended to come on the ride but his front wheel was buckled after a confrontation on CM. The legend continues.

We had a choice of 3 possible places for lunch around the half way mark, The White Horse in Headcorn whose landlord had been described in an internet review as "a man that makes Jonny Vegas look anorexic, he is a walking man mountain, hilarious, prides himself on slapping the staff about and eating chips!!!" Then there was the newly refurbished Bell Inn on Staplehurst High St and an old favourite, the Bell and Jorrocks in Frittenden. We decided to go with what we knew, even though it was a short way off the route. As Andrew said going to Bell and Jorrocks, also the village post office would help support the local community.  The food is good basic burgers, egg and chips etc. with also a choice of sandwiches.

Back on the road with the rain coming down we zapped the rest of the ride in about an hour and were back in Paddock Wood at two o'clock.

photos

Thanks everyone for a good day out,
Ian Pendleton.