Today's Ride

[mk one]

Most of the cats that you meet on the street speak of true love
Most of the time, they're sittin' and cryin' at home

But not me; I got going out the front door. About 24 degrees, light breeze, beautiful day. Across Canterbury, first: Your typical city involved in a typical daydream. And then to Fordwich, past this pond, where a couple of dragonflies were dancing around each other:
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Across the country miles and wide open spaces after that:
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To the Grove Ferry, a pub and picnic site, with a spot of boating:
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And from there, over more country lanes to the village of Hillborough:
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And to the seafront at Hillborough, where I had a drink and a piece of cake. The bench is new, with flowers, photos and a dedication to a recently deceased lady. The photos showed a kind-faced woman and the dedication revealed that she was a youngest sister; born after me, died before me. I guess they can't revoke your soul for tryin'. Perhaps she enjoyed the view from this spot. I did.
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From there, it was down to the seafront, which was increasingly busy with bikers, barbecues and first world bellies the further I went:
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Looking back towards Herne Bay:
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By this stage, I was keen to get home, so I didn't stop for any more photos.
Whoa, Whoa baby, back where I belong
Back home, sit down and patch my bones

I stuck to the seafront all the way to Whitstable, then turned inland and went over the Crab and Winkle Way back home. There's a short but steep hill at the Whitstable end and, as I was going up, I passed some kids going down who shouted encouragement at me in a good-natured way, in between puffing on a joint that you could smell for about 100m. Young people get a hard rap but I doubt if their joint will cause as much harm as the middle-aged obesity on the seafront will.

It was a beautiful day, and a varied ride.

Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me
Other times, I can barely see
Lately, it occurs to me
What a long, strange trip it's been

With apologies to the Grateful Dead (but I've been enjoying the reissue of American Beauty).

I hope Fairfax Pat would be pleased with the way his thread is continuing.

@rwm1962 That is a beautiful commute.

Grew up on the East coast but further up in Essex. Characteristic stoney beaches and breakwaters

Huge Dead fan, not listened to them for a while now for personal reasons, though funnily enough i was listening to The Warlocks earlier

 

[al-onestare]

Love the crab and winkle way - great for running as well, pound many a mile up and down that stretch when we'd stay in Broadstairs.

Last week the weather was a mess cumulating with 3 days solid of living in a cloud with visibility about 20 metres, so no riding, just running. It curtailed any attempts to get over and boo at Boris.

Yesterday's run was beautiful but super-scorchio. I had to slow down at mile 6 as I started seeing flashing lights. After seeing what happened to Eriksen, it was a stark reminder to keep things in check.

Que this morning and a stunning start. No excuses so on the A'ha for a quick 10 mile blast before the contractors come in for week 2 of the big renovations. I had to go on the coast paths, it was too good not to and I finally found a spot just before Levant mine that I could use for an obligatory selfie. After that it was a blood pumping climb up Trewallard hill to the radio mast, then across to the stone out-crop, taking in the view across to Land End. You can just make out Tregeseal stone circle down in the middle; it's a great bit of bumpy single-track from this spot down to it.

I'm super-stoked I got out there not least because the sea-fog has just rolled in again

 

[MatBH5]

Great ride yesterday, before it got too hot.
Across the Sandbanks-Studland ferry, climbed up onto the Purbeck ridges, a bit of up and down to Corfe Castle, then back through the nature reserves.
Retrobike jersey on display.

 

[trailstar82]

First post in here (yes(todays) ride was along to hadleigh castle and bike park, location of the 2012 olympic xc event. Went with some gravellers and had an absolute blast. Sadly didn’t take any pic of the trails as we were too busy having fun.

 

[mk one]

Great ride yesterday, before it got too hot.
Across the Sandbanks-Studland ferry, climbed up onto the Purbeck ridges, a bit of up and down to Corfe Castle, then back through the nature reserves.
Retrobike jersey on display.

Have not been down that way for too long now, love Dorset, some great climbing and scenery

 

[MatBH5]

Thanks! It’s a great area to ride and I’ve been up and down these hills for 30 years, not got bored yet!

 

[Markybeau]

Woke up feeling Friday on Monday morning.
Very busy weekend, very tired.

At the end of the road I groaned and asked myself why I was riding in when I felt so tired. I pushed on and 20 minutes later, as I rolled over the crest of Rawmarsh Hill, I was beaming.

A curious muggy day. A bit grey and mostly overcast, with occasional sunny intervals. Warm and a light breeze. Short nap and right as a bobbin.
19°c at 7:30 am and at 4:30 pm.

Where do I sign up?

I'll do better tomorrow.

 

[CassidyAce]

@al-onestare The Crab and Winkle Way is very popular with runners too. While it used to be very stony for much of its length it's recently been smoothed over and even tarmacked at the University of Kent end.

@mk one Southend is visible from Whitstable on clear days (and vice-versa no doubt). I lived in Colchester for a while: nice area. As for the Dead: they were good but it's good to give them a rest for a while too.

 

[al-onestare]

Cool 12 degree start, lower in the valleys, rising to 14-15 by 08:30, next to no breeze for once. A stunning morning and - touch wood - no sign of any sea fog There was a hint of mist coming into Sennen but thankfully it didn't count for anything worse. I took in the loop to said Sennen, through to just outside St Buryan before heading to Lamorna - that climb out - to Mousehole and Newlyn - and that other climb out - to Lower Drift, Sancreed, Grumbla and back to HQ. I'm a sucker for climbs at the moment...I think I've had too much sun and sea air

I only noticed the other day that I take in route 3 for a decent stretch. I hope they give plenty of warning that it's not for the beginner!

At the top of Mousehole looking across Mounts Bay all the way to the Lizard.

 

[Markybeau]

Home to work and work to home.

Against the clock, against the elements, against myself.

Warm sunny morning.

Along the towpath at Kilnhurst.

Along the riverbank behind Mexborough Station. New York Bagel Company in the background.


Digitalis purperea

Common as muck
13°c early, cooler.
22°c warm, humid, later