27 May-Shadoxhurst Circular

Colin Starts The Ride With A Rollie

About a month ago someone on STRAVA had posted a nice circular ride that skirted Ashford passing through a place I had never heard of with the intriguing name of 'Shadoxhurst'. Always on the look out for new places in our locality to explore , I downloaded the route and with a few modifications it was ready for an early bird excursion  . We were blessed with good bank holiday weather for once. First to arrive was Mike Smart. Mike has done a lot of riding abroad and some 'Bacon Butties' but this was to be his first early bird ride. Before long other riders started to appear , including  a very rare appearance  from none other than Colin Enderson. Colin was looking trim, the result of  all his commuting to and fro Eastbourne to his photography shop. Also good to see Club chairman Chris Parker out on an early bird (despite his disapproval of following a GPS) . We started with fast mainroading to Rye where another new early birder, Mark Ingram tagged on.We pressed on through familiar roads to Warhorne , where upon we moved onto roads and places I had never ridden before such as Bromley Green, Shadoxhurst and Brook street. These were lovely quiet roads with excellent surfaces. I must make the effort to explore more of this area in the future. Before long we were back on more familiar turf at Tenterden. Both newbies were strong riders, ahead of both myself and Chris Parker. Paul is still having trouble with his fancy shimano ultra light rear wheel. He has just had the spokes sorted out but now the hub will not spin freely! The road from Wittersham to Brede is one of my favourite stretches of road being a bit lumpy with some fast slightly downhill sections. The short but steep (12%) climb of Doleham lane soon appeared, my efforts last week at the mega leg breaker must have paid off as I found this easier than normal and managed a PB on Strava without really trying. Mark and Mike had never had the pleasure of this hill before. Just Peter James lane stood between us and the end of the ride. This is the final sting of the tail but is a fabulous climb that brings you half way up battery hill, for some well deserved tea and cake at the coastguard tea rooms. Thanks to everyone who came out with us, with all the fabulous weather it was a really enjoyable ride.Hopefully, Mike and Mark will ride out with the 'early birds' again?

Metin Is On Good Form

Newbie Early Birds, Mike And Mark