Events in 2010

This page shows details of events organized by us each month.
More information will be added as it becomes available.

January, February, March, April, May, June, July,
August, September, October, November, December.

For a list of all tandem events in and around Kent, click on the Diary 2010 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, 17/01/10

Reculver, Kent

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





A rapid thaw, after weeks of snow-covered roads meant that the January ride could go ahead. Very pleasingly the day also dawned bright and sunny. Due to the surface that road engineers consider suitable for cycle paths, Jim and Kate had suffered two punctures on their two mile ride to the start. They then found they had another at the start. Eventually 5 tandems and Caroline on a single set off from Bishopstone to ride through Reculver Country park, pursued by a dog intent on trying to knock us off. The route then turned south, through Marshside and Upstreet to cross the river Stour at Grove ferry.

It felt good to be back on the bikes, for many of us, the first time this year. We stopped for Coffee at Wingham Bird Park, before continuing in our generally southerly direction through Wingham and Goodnestone, past the Post mill at Chillenden and across the Downs to Woolage Green for Lunch.

After Lunch the route took us past the old Snowdown colliery. The lifting gear has long gone, but surprisingly, all the other buildings remain as a historic reminder of the not too distant past. Through Aylesham and Adisham, to Bekesbourne and then a short break at Fordwich. We were now all showing the effects that a long lay off from riding produce. Fortunately the North Easterly direction the route now took, put the wind mercifully on our backs as we followed the Roman road back to Reculver.

It was good to be back on the bikes, but perhaps a shorter first time out may have been wise. I’ll make a note for next year.

Report by: Cliff Hayward


Summary
Tandems: 5
Solos: 1
People: 11

Distance: 39 miles
Height Gain: 645 metres
Climb/Distance Index: 16.5 metres per mile (1.03%)
High Point: 112 metres
Low Point: 0 metres

Event Date: Sunday, 21/02/10

Paddock Wood, Kent

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





Seven tandems and Jake, sporting his dad’s clean bright new yellow mountain bike, met at Paddock Wood. It was unlikely the mountain bike would stay bright and yellow for long, given the weather conditions. We set off in the rain through Five Oak Green to Pembury, where we were stopped by a road closure. To keep us off the A228 we asked permission to move the railings and squeeze past a truck.

The coffee shop at Pembury hadn’t bothered to open in such appalling weather but fortunately the café in Dunloran Park, on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells, was open. It even had dry cycle storage. Not that this was necessary as once in the café the rain stopped - only for it to start again as soon as we returned to the bikes.

It was pleasing to discover that ‘Disgusted, of Tunbridge Wells’ is still alive and well. He stopped us in the park to complain about us cycling.
“We didn’t see any signs”, we said honestly.
“You would if you looked hard enough”, was his reply.

From Hawkenbury through to Kipping's Cross we decided to take a more direct route to lunch, than previously planned, and then missed a turn so added a short loop back on. The Halfway House at Brenchley is largely all rough sawn tables and tiled floor. The landlord made the odd decision to put us (soaking wet) in the one room with a carpet. I guess it helped to soak up the water. The pub has some 10 beers straight from the barrel. Unfortunately as the weather appeared to have improved, with the sun shining through the window, we felt duty bound to continue our ride.

We headed for Horsmonden where it started raining again within 10 minutes of us leaving the pub. We did however complete the afternoon’s ride as planned, just to keep to my promise that the route would be flat, even if it did therefore entail a quite circuitous route back to Paddock Wood to complete 30 miles.

Report by: Cliff Hayward


Summary
Tandems: 7
Solos: 1
People: 15

Distance: 31 miles
Height Gain: 540 metres
Climb/Distance Index: 17.4 metres per mile (1.08%)
High Point: 141 metres
Low Point: 12 metres

Event Date: Sunday, 21/03/10

Deal, Kent

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

We meet at 9.45am ready to start cycling at 10am. The ride will be mostly on minor roads but with about five miles of well surfaced cycle paths and about half to one mile of a fairly rough bridleway. (this part of the ride can be avoided if it is very wet or if anyone is keen to keep their bike clean!)

The plan is to head off to Sandwich for a coffee stop and then on to the Dog and Duck at Plucks Gutter for a typical Sunday lunch. After lunch we will head back towards Deal via Fowlmead Country Park where we will do a lap of their 3.5km tarmac cycle race track before going on to the leaders' house for tea. From there it will be a short 2 mile ride back to the start point. (I am not sure how the timing will go but I guess it may be worth bringing lights just in case they are needed for the final two miles ... that really depends on how long you spend at the leaders' house having tea!) Estimated distance 40miles estimated height gain less than 400m.

If you need to contact Nick on the day, please call his mobile 07714464942.

Event Date: Sunday, 18/04/10

Start point to be decided

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles
   contact:
   email:

Event Date: Sunday, 16/05/10

Start point to be decided

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles
   contact: Cliff & Pauline - 01732 750885
   email:

Event Date: Sunday, 27/06/10

Start point to be decided

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles
   contact:
   email:

Event Date: Sunday, 18/07/10

Start point to be decided

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

Event Date: Sunday, 22/08/10

Start point to be decided
(in conjunction with Tandem Club - South East London)

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles
   contact: Keith & Jane - 01323 761575
   email:

Event Date: Sunday, 19/09/10

Start point to be decided

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles (or less)
   contact: Colin & Mon - 01732 844292
   email:

Event Date: Sunday, 17/10/10

Start point to be decided

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 40 miles
   contact:
   email:

Event Date: Sunday, 21/11/10

Start point to be decided

   start time: 09:45 for 10:00
   approx. ride distance: 30 miles
   contact: Maurice & Rita - 01580 713887
   email:

Event Date: Sunday, 19/12/10

Start point to be decided

   start time: 09:15 for 09:30
   approx. ride distance: 20 miles (morning only) with a coffee stop.
   contact: Cliff & Pauline - 01732 750885
   email: