Events in 2008

This page shows details of events organized by us each month.
January, February, March, April, May, June,
July, September, October, November, December.

For a list of all tandem events in and around Kent, click on the Diary 2008 page where (as well as our events) you will also see events and rides organized by both the Tandem Club South East London and the Tandem Club Surrey & Sussex.

Event Date: Sunday, 20/01/08

Meopham, Kent

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 30-35 miles
   contact: Cliff & Pauline - 01732 750885
   email:

Coffee is likely to be at Speed Gate and lunch at Horton Kirby.



Who would have said we could have got such a great cycling day? With the forecast for wind and rain, we did not expect sunshine.

Seven Tandems and 4 solos (Karen and Ben having cycled to the start) met at Meopham leisure centre. We headed out into ‘rolling countryside.’ The route designed to keep us all warm. Not that it was necessary and as we stopped to regroup lots of members were taking layers off.

We rode up to Speedgate at Fawkham for our coffee break and I think every other cyclist had done the same, it was great to see it so busy. So full that some of us had to sit outside - I was told the bacon buns were great. Two of the solos left us at this point, which meant they missed the five mile roll down the Knatts Valley to Farningham where we lunched in the Lion Hotel.

We travelled northwards along the Darent Valley to Southfleet and then South again, where we suffered our only puncture at New Barn.

Report by Pauline & Cliff Hayward



Summary
Tandems: 7
Solos: 4
People: 18

Event Date: Sunday, 17/02/08

Minnis Bay, Birchington, Kent

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 30-35 miles
   contact: Cliff & Pauline - 01732 750885
   email:



With the promise of more glorious sunshine, for our second ride of the year, 8 tandems and 4 solos met at Minnis Bay on the Isle of Thanet. The route went south, through Acol and Monkton. Crossing the River Stour at Plucks Gutter appeared to be the first and only uphill of the morning as it was then flat to Wingham Wildlife park for morning coffee.

There was clearly an event on at Goodnestone gardens as we collected a large queue of traffic along the narrow lanes from Wingham to the gardens, but we had the roads to ourselves again afterwards as we headed along undulating lanes to Lunch at the Red Lion in Wickhambreaux. Here we said goodbye to Nick, Simon and Elaine as they were due in Lincolnshire but had delayed their start simply so they could support us. Having pre-ordered lunch at the start of our ride, the service was very prompt and we were back in the saddles again by 2pm.

A narrow lane in Stodmarsh caused a few problems, as a couple of dog walkers decided to stand either side of the road forcing us down the middle, that was full of large stones, and to help matters a Land Rover then came down the hill towards us. This was however the only incident, as we re-crossed the river Stour at Grove Ferry and headed for the coast at Reculver. The ride along the sea wall, dodging between the numerous walkers (it could have been midsummer) brought us back to our start, and for most, a cuppa in the now rather upmarket café, before heading our separate ways.

Report by Pauline & Cliff Hayward



Summary
Tandems: 8
Solos: 4
People: 20

Distance: 37 miles
Height Gain: 502 metres
Climb/Distance Index: 13.6 metres per mile (0.84%)
High Point: 59 metres
Low Point: 0 metres

Event Date: Sunday, 16/03/08

Headcorn, Kent

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles
   contact: Neville & Tricia - 020 8325 8445
   email:

We are planning for this ride to be relatively flat. So, whilst not wanting to discourage our usual attendees, would point out that this ride will be good for people who can't abide hills and those with recent knee operations.



The weather forecast for today was wet and so it turned out to be. It was good, therefore, that we got a turn-out of 14 people on 6 tandems and 2 solos.

It wasn't actually raining when we started off from Headcorn but there had been a lot of rain overnight and the roads and fields at each side were very wet and a heavy mist hung in the air. We headed in a north-westerly direction on a flattish course which wasn't quite as flat as planned due to the leader making a small routing error! After many wiggles and turns, we found ourselves at High Grove Garden Centre at Cross-at-Hand. Puncture number one was spotted at this point and was repaired during the coffee break.

It was nice and warm in the Garden Centre café but eventually we dragged ourselves away and found there had been a motor accident outside with traffic queued up in both directions and an air ambulance hovering overhead. By pushing our bikes a little way, we were able to get away and were soon cycling again on quiet country lanes. We were now cycling in a southerly direction and after skirting around Staplehurst, and passing through Frittenden, puncture number two occurred and was repaired. Soon we reached the point on the route, where, when it was planned a few weeks earlier, we had used a bridleway but as it had been slightly muddy then in dry weather, it was decided not to risk it today in very wet weather. Unfortunately this required a small diversion involving some additional mileage before reaching our lunch destination at Sissinghurst Castle. We were joined at lunch by tandem friends Ernie & Betty, who hadn't been able to join us on their bike today.

During the morning, the rain had more or less held off but after lunch it didn't and we suffered varying degrees of downpour together with gusty wind. Immediately after lunch, a detour was required to circumnavigate a further bridleway but we were soon back on course, passing through Three Chimneys and Lashenden. Most of us made it by the planned route and one further puncture to the scheduled tea stop at Headcorn Aerodrome. This is usually a really busy place with lots of small aircraft taking off and landing and skydiving activity. Not today – the rain had curtailed all activity and no aeroplanes were moving. To make matters worse, the café was just closing as we arrived and only had cups of tea on sale... So, some of us had cups of tea and others took the shortest way back to the finish.

The remaining group of 4 tandems and one solo, took a very much abbreviated route back to the finish but puncture number 4 meant that even this group broke up before the end was reached. On balance, it was a good day out but the weather, for once, somewhat crippled the plan.

Report by Neville Frost



Summary
Tandems: 6
Solos: 2
People: 14

Distance: 39 miles
Height Gain: 386 metres
Climb/Distance Index: 9.9 metres per mile (0.61%)
High Point: 85 metres
Low Point: 15 metres

Event Date: Sunday, 20/04/08

Herne Bay, Kent

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles (or less)
   contact: John & Jean - 01233 503050
   email:



It was misty on the south bank of the Thames estuary as we met up in Herne Bay for the start of this ride. There were 12 people on 6 tandems and we set off in an easterly direction, taking the not quite completed cycle path to Reculver and then the sea wall route to Birchington. Veering off now to the south east across the Isle of Thanet we arrived at the grandly named Kent International Airport where we stopped in the nearby excellent RAF Manston History Museum café for coffee.


Continuing on our way, we turned to the south when we reached the North Sea at Cliffs End and followed the course of the River Stour to Sandwich, passing the newly restored Viking longship 'Hugin' at Pegwell Bay. After a tour around the attractive old town of Sandwich, we headed westwards and eventually stopped for lunch at the Chequers pub in Ash. We were treated very well here with the landlady showing great interest in our tandems.


The next stint took us through Preston, Grove and Upstreet to Chislet Forstal, where we stopped for afternoon tea. The temperature was not too warm but we had it in the open air anyway.


Finally, we returned to Herne Bay across the oil seed rape yellow fields of Hoath and Millbank after a very pleasant and not flat 34 miles.


Report by Neville Frost


Summary
Tandems: 6
Solos: 0
People: 12

Distance: 34 miles
Height Gain: 339 metres
Climb/Distance Index: 10 metres per mile (0.62%)
High Point: 52 metres
Low Point: 0 metres

Event Date: Sunday, 18/05/08

Hythe, Kent

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles
   contact: Nick & Simon - 01304 364657
   email:

Some thoughts on the planned ride from Nick: -
I was planning on starting in Westenhanger which is a few miles outside Hythe. Probable morning stop Swingfield Minnis Butterfly Centre, lunch in Dover, afternoon stop Folkestone. Will involve about 1000m of climbing and a trip down to Samphire Hoe (lights advisable but not essential for the tunnel down to Samphire Hoe).



Following some awful weather the day before, we were pleased to find the weather dry if a little cold when five tandems met at Westenhanger Station. Having crossed the M20 on a footpath and done a small diversion to avoid the rather busy Stone Street we headed along Pilgrims Way towards our morning stop at Swingfield Minnis encountering the first major climb of the day at Etchinghill.

Back on the bikes and down the main road to Hawkinge where our route was blocked by two gates that we were expecting to be open. Fortunately we managed to squeeze round the edge and join cycle route 17 towards Dover. We had a nice run down into the Alkham Valley and the inevitable climb up the other side before the three mile long descent to Dover for lunch at the Eight Bells.

After lunch we went down to the coast and picked up a tail wind to help us on our way back towards Hythe. Once out of Dover we continued upwards to the entrance to the tunnel to Samphire Hoe. A couple of minutes were spent putting lights on and sunglasses off before the traffic lights went green and we nipped in front of the traffic to go down the descent in the tunnel. One team touched 56mph and another 50 mph in the darkness before coming out into the daylight at the bottom of the cliff on Samphire Hoe. A quick, and in places rather bumpy, tour round the edge of the Hoe preceded the inevitable climb back up through the tunnel. This proved tricky as the cycle path used for going up is extremely narrow and leaves no room for the odd wobble! All the stokers were trying to pedal as smoothly as possible without moving and Neville discovered that it really was not possible to cycle along a narrow path, up a steep hill in the dark whilst riding one handed and trying to take a photo at the same time! Everyone emerged safe at the top if a little out of breath before climbing even further up the cycle track to the top of Shakespeare Cliff.

We made a brief stop at The Battle of Britain Memorial to look at the Spitfire and Hurricane before descending to Folkestone for an afternoon stop on the harbour side in the afternoon sun. From here the route was pretty well level all the way through Hythe and along by the military canal before we turned to the right up Lympne Hill, which proved to be a real killer at 1 in 7 and very long and bumpy. Four of the five teams managed without walking and all took several minutes at the top to recover before completing the last couple of miles back to Westenhanger.

In summary a very varied ride with some big big climbs but some superb descents. A good day was had by all.

Report by Nick Ferrar



Summary
Tandems: 5
Solos: 0
People: 10

Distance: 42 miles
Height Gain: 1042 metres
Climb/Distance Index: 24.8 metres per mile (1.54%)
High Point: 177 metres
Low Point: 0 metres

Event Date: Sunday, 15/06/08

Kemsing, Kent

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 30-35 miles
   contact: Cliff & Pauline - 01732 750885
   email:



Seven tandems and two solos met at Kemsing. Unusually, those arriving by car were in the minority, with 5 families riding to the start. After admiring Colin’s restored Hetchins, with its curly stays and lugwork (although the STi aren’t exactly retro) we set off through Otford to Old Polhill, where we climbed to the top of the North Downs. Colin left us at Knockholt, probably to see how Monica was getting on putting the tandem back together. We rode on to coffee at the Reptile Zoo at Tatsfield.

The advantage of the early climb was that we now had to rapidly lose the height down to Titsey, before travelling south through the flat country of the Eden valley to reach lunch at the Royal Oak in Dormansland. It was here that questions began to be raised about the ride distance. 30-35 miles had been published on the web. It's good to see that people are looking at the website. Just a pity the run leader doesn’t as he had planned about 45. It was a very reasonably priced pub, although the service was very slow, so that we didn’t leave until about 3pm. Just as well there was plenty of daylight.

We passed the Hammer ponds to Cowden and then to Penshurst for afternoon tea, where the service was also slow, but it did give us a good rest. Having spent most of the day going downhill we now had to make up for this. The ascent of One Tree Hill (100 meters in half a mile) was made just because I wouldn’t want to disappoint Liz, and not give her something to complain about. We finally reached Kemsing after 47 miles. Jan and Kevin having cycled 11 miles from Orpington with the misguided idea that it would be a 35 miler then had to ride home. If they had gone with Nick and Simon on their London to Brighton ride, they would have cycled less.

Report by Cliff Hayward



Summary
Tandems: 7
Solos: 1 (+ 1 part way)
People: 15 (+ 1 part way)

Distance: 47 miles
Height Gain: 1067 metres
Climb/Distance Index: 22.7 metres per mile (1.41%)
High Point: 257 metres
Low Point: 28 metres

Event Date: Sunday, 20/07/08

Ditton, Kent

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles
   contact: Mark & Liz - 01732 848432
   email:



Eleven tandems and one solo set off from Ditton Community Centre on this sunny but windy morning. We cycled through the quiet lanes of East Malling then through West Malling where we were greeted by the musical sound of church bells. We continued through the lanes, stopping briefly in Offham to admire the quintain on the village green, cycling 10 miles to our coffee stop at Great Comp Gardens in Platt, where we all sat outside in the sunshine and ate home made cakes in the beautiful surroundings.

From here, we proceeded to cycle through the undulating countryside, which took us via Crouch, Plaxtol, Borough Green and Wrotham. We then travelled the busy A20 for a short distance to enable us to join the Pilgrims' Way, (the views across the fields were spectacular) this led us to our lunch stop at ‘The George’ in Trottiscliffe.

Whilst we were enjoying our lunch, rain poured down, however cleared up quickly to enable us to continue our ride in the dry. After lunch we stopped off to look at Coldrum Long Barrow, which are the remaining stones of a Neolithic tomb.

It was then with great pain that the majority of us cycled up Vigo Hill! We then descended very quickly down Holly Hill which took us through the villages of Ryarsh, Addington, West Malling and then back home to Ditton where everyone came back to have tea and cakes in our garden.

Report by Liz Noble



Summary
Tandems: 11
Solos: 1
People: 23

Distance: 39 miles
Height Gain: 844 metres
Climb/Distance Index: 21.6 metres per mile (1.34%)
High Point: 215 metres
Low Point: 16 metres

Event Date: Sunday, 21/09/08

Marden, Kent

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles
   contact: Mark & Liz - 01732 848432
   email:



It was a bright sunny morning as nine tandems and one solo set off from the start in Marden. We headed in an easterly direction, passing through Staplehurst, Hawkenbury and Hearnden Green to Broadstone where we stopped for a break after 10 miles at Grafty Garden Centre – spending some time admiring the huge 18feet high, flower covered sheep, 'Shorn'. Somewhere along the way we collected another tandem couple so were now 10 bikes but soon after one of the original tandem teams went their own way so we were back to the original numbers.

Continuing, now in a south easterly direction and passing close to Pluckley but without actually climbing the steep hill, we came to the George Pub in Bethersden where we stopped for lunch. They were only serving roast turkey and roast beef but the meals were excellent.

After lunch it was time to head homewards, in a westerly direction. So sticking, as earlier, to the beautiful country lanes, we passed through Haffenden Quarter, Standen and Monk's Hill (which is all of 44 meters above sea level) to Headcorn Aerodrome. We could see the sky divers long before we reached our destination for tea.

We spent a while at the aerodrome watching the small aeroplanes coming and going but we had to leave before the next contingent of skydivers went aloft.

The final phase of the ride took us through Headcorn and the outskirts of Staplehurst on our way back to Marden.

After the quantity of rain we have had recently, it was great to be out cycling on this sunny day.

Report by Neville Frost



Summary
Tandems: 9 (2 for part of the ride)
Solos: 1
People: 19 (4 for part of the ride)

Distance: 42 miles
Height Gain: 362 metres
Climb/Distance Index: 8.6 metres per mile (0.54%)
High Point: 57 metres
Low Point: 15 metres

Event Date: Sunday, 19/10/08

Cranbrook, Kent

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles
   contact: Maurice & Rita - 01580 713887
   email:

Some thoughts on the planned ride from Maurice: -
We will ride via Benenden to Bodiam Castle for elevenses and from there to Ticehurst for lunch before returning to Cranbrook, a distance of approximately 40 miles. The route allows for some shortening should the weather not be too kind or we run out of time for whatever reason, but similarly we can add on a loop or two should time and fancy allow.



We had a beautiful autumn day for this ride with the sun shining for most of it. Unfortunately, the stoker of our leading team, Rita, was incapacitated following a recent fall and so our leader Maurice was on his own on a solo bike. Also taking part were five tandem teams making a total of eleven people.

The route was in a clockwise direction, starting eastwards and then southwards via The Broques, Rolvenden and Sandhurst to Bodiam, where we stopped at the Castle for coffee.

After Bodiam, we travelled in a westerly and northerly direction, taking in Hurst Green and Ticehurst and stopped shortly after Ticehurst at Three Leg Cross for lunch at the ancient Bull pub. This pub was built in the 14th and 15th centuries and has low beams and an old world charm together with excellent food and a friendly, welcoming air.

After spending over an hour enjoying the food and convivial chatter, we set off again, now in a northerly direction. Skirting nearby Bewl Water, we headed to Goudhurst and then turned to the east and a bit to the south, via Hartley and returned to Cranbrook.

The ride was hilly, sunny and autumnal with clear views to the surrounding countryside and altogether very pleasant.

Report by Neville Frost



Summary
Tandems: 5
Solos: 1
People: 11

Distance: 40 miles
Height Gain: 871 metres
Climb/Distance Index: 21.8 metres per mile (1.35%)
High Point: 130 metres
Low Point: 3 metres

Event Date: Sunday, 16/11/08

Wye, Kent

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 35 miles
   contact: Keith & Jane - 01323 761575
   email:

This route will circumnavigate Ashford. We will stop for morning coffee and a pub lunch and possibly afternoon tea. Please bring lights as it may be dark before we finish. Please email or telephone the organizers by Friday, 14th November if you plan to attend.



Twenty people on 9 tandems and 2 solos gathered in Wye on a mild and calm morning for the Kent November ride. We were joined by two people from Whitstable who are cyclists but do not yet own a tandem. Lots of questions were asked and much discussion had. Hopefully we will soon see a new captain and stoker out on the road!

The ride left Wye in a westerly direction passing through Boughton Lees, Hothfield and then Great Chart. Morning coffee was taken here along with the odd bacon sandwich or two.

The route then turned southeasterly and on to lunch at the White Horse in Bilsington, via Stubbs Cross and Shadoxhurst. Sunday was ‘carvery’ day in the pub and for those that didn’t want a full meal, baguettes were baked and filled with various hot meats.

On leaving the pub grey clouds and rain were spotted in the east and as the clouds and rain was coming from the west, we all thought it wouldn’t get us? How wrong can you be, within 10 mins we were stopping to hastily put on waterproofs for the downpour?

The rain didn’t last too long as we made our way through Aldrington Frith to Court-at-Street and then we turned north and made our way over the channel rail line and the M20 through Brabourne Lees and started the long climb up onto Wye Downs. This was after a slight detour to Ken & Liz’s van so that they could put the boiler on so that they had hot water for a shower when they got back!! AH.

Afternoon tea was taken at the Devils Kneading Trough on the top of the Downs. A brilliant photo opportunity arose when rain started pouring through a bright sky over Ashford, cameras were clicking.

A freewheel competition then took place as we returned to the start as it was all down hill from the café, fast roads and no pedaling, it was described as the fastest leg of any Kent tandem club ride! A total of approximately 35 miles was covered with only the odd chain slipping off and no punctures.

Report by Keith Ring



Summary
Tandems: 9
Solos: 2
People: 20

Distance: 33 miles
Height Gain: 556 metres
Climb/Distance Index: 16.8 metres per mile (1.05%)
High Point: 181 metres
Low Point: 11 metres

Event Date: Sunday, 21/12/08

Lenham, Kent

   start time: 09:15 for 09:30
   approx. ride distance: morning only 15-20 miles
   contact: Cliff & Pauline - 01732 750885
   email:

Our Christmas ride this year is from the Red Lion in Lenham and our meal will be in their Function Room. Hopefully Janet will light the fire for us this year. If you plan to attend, you will need to make your menu choices in advance so if you have not already received the menu from Pauline, you will need to contact her (details above).

There will be a short morning ride of approximately 15-20 miles, with a coffee stop. Don’t forget to decorate your tandem this year.

Lunch is booked for 13:00 and it is legitimate to come for the lunch and miss the ride!

We do hope you will come and join us (either for the ride and lunch or just for the lunch), the more the merrier, it's a very busy time for everyone so why not take a break and sit and relax with like minded people.



Started from the car park behind the Red Lion pub at 10am. Rode 20 metres and stopped while the leaders visited the toilets. Rode a further 10 metres and stopped again. This time the leaders wanted a group photo of everyone in front of the Red Lion (Well, the sun was shining and may well not have been on our return).

Ride 100metres! Stopped again. This time the leaders have decided they are going the wrong way. Eventually we leave Lenham without further stoppages with a gentle climb to warm us up. Then down through Grafty Green an on to Sutton Valence, with a steep climb to ensure we had earned our coffee at the Mount Pleasant garden centre. The return to Lenham, via Abbey Wood, Kingswood and Fairbourne Heath continued in glorious sunshine.

Those who had decided not to ride met us at the finish. It is nice to have a function room to ourselves. It gave Jake an opportunity to entertain us with his Santa Claus impression, a beard made from party-popper streamers. It also gave Pauline a chance to publicly thank everyone for their support this past year, without having to announce it to everyone in the pub

Report by Pauline Hayward



Summary
Tandems: 7
Solos: 0
People: 14