Mike Ormerod was leader so apologies Mike if I'm jumping the gun! A good turnout (was it 15 people?) and we headed off at an easy pace, through quiet Sunday morning lanes to the Hever area where I always think the scenery becomes delightful. It's so unspoilt, I can imagine Henry the VIII's hunting parties that traversed these fields. Mike was testing a new route with wonderful surprises. Onwards and upwards to Mark Cross, about 39 miles, where we had a tea stop and had already lost of few people who needed to get back for lunch.
Then the party split, the sensible people opting for a ride straight home and the slightly unhinged lured by the siren voice of Graham Haysom to join his breakaway for MORE miles into deepest Kent. Don't ask me where we went (though I remember Cackle Street and Duddleswell) because Graham has a knack of leading much more than a Club Run; his rides make me think of Zen and the Art of Motorcyle Maintenance (the thinking man's bestseller of 1974, mechanical & physical issues meet spirituality and philosophy)
Graham led four of us through the most stunning scenery, through exquisite little villages, up narrow lanes with high hedges, past derelict farms, small streams, through a ford, up AND down incredible hills, then across Ashdown forest which feels like the top of the world with miles of spectacular distant views and the longest, fastest downhill stretch I've ever ridden to the impossibly pretty Hartfield...and then along the familiar but just as beautiful Furnace Lane past breathtaking lakes with swans coming to meet us as we stopped to take some photos.
Cycling isn't just about bashing out the miles to get fit, that's a wonderful by product; it's about seeing, about BEING in the amazing environment of the counties we live in, through all the seasons...scenes we shouldn't take for granted, ever. Most muggles were down the pub, decorating the spare bedroom or at Bluewater.
We did 82 miles and worked damn hard at it. It was a priceless experience...yet it cost us nothing.
Malcolm McLaren, former manager of the Sex Pistols was asked 'why do you ride a bike? he answered 'It’s spiritual'.
Damn right...if you can see beyond the obvious...or maybe I just had gin in my water bottle.
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