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Captain’s Log

(Latest first)

 

15/10/09 – Five go for a ride

After a very wet week of commuting to work, it was a good turnout today with Jason, Richard, Dean, Steve and myself.

 

 We set off through Longfield and before long started climbing, up Longfield Hill, then up to Rabbits Farm, then after a couple of descents climbed towards Speedgate Café only stopping for a puncture, not a coffee! Straight past we sped up past Battersea Dogs home to the top of Exedown. A rapid descent followed, down through Knatt’s Valley and on to Eynsford where we met our hardest challenge of the day climbing out of Eynsford.

 

Finally reaching the Pilgrim’s Way after about 2 hours riding, nearly all up hill! I could hear my Sunday Dinner calling, so I tailed off up Terry’s Lodge Hill back to Longfield. The others keen to get in more miles headed off towards Wrotham and even more climbing.

 

Eventually reaching Longfield have completed a lot of climbing over 3 hrs and a well earned rest.

 

11/10/09 – A 2-up Time Trial?

Just the two of us today were brave enough to chance the weather. The week had been very wet and on my commute to work had been drenched twice.  Jason and myself left Cobham, taking the road out through Longfield, Sutton At Hone, and Swanley Village and onto Crockenhill.  The roads in places were narrow and we sped through several small villages before swooping down into Shoreham. No time to enjoy the bubbling stream as Jason set a rapid pace up the hills. At times it seemed like a 2-up taking it in turns to maintain the high pace.  Onto the Pilgrims Way and then just when we reached the high point on the road, we turned left, up Terry’s Lodge climb and I settled down to plod up the hill.  I made it! The final stretch was again quite rapid as we descended through Hartley and down to Longfield.

 

My computer showed 36 miles in 2.5 hrs – not bad for a Sunday Club run!

 

 

4/10/09 – The First Winter Club Run of the Season

The previous day had been extremely windy, but this morning we were treated to a very mild and sunny autumn day. Six riders set off from Cobham (Jason, Derek, Brian, myself and new riders Steve & Dean). We set off through the lanes towards Vigo, following one of our classic rides – “Lens Route”. The pace was brisk and we made fine progress down towards Wrotham, round to Offham and into the old picturesque village of Aylesford.

 

But no time to enjoy the scenery, the pace was high and they made me chase all the way through Eccles and onto the Motorway bridge. Then down to Cuxton and then the final climb of the day - the Col de Cobham. I think we made it round in a record time of about 2hours!

 

It’s Monday night now and my legs are still burning!

 

 

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