Sunday 7th June - KVK Seaside Ride

All set, ready for our first KVK ride to the seaside! L to R Ellen, Sophia, Catriona, Izzy, Hope, Polly, Toni, Calvin & Hannah

Smiling now but five miles later a touch of wheels in this group left Hannah with some "road kisses" - thanks to the kindly local resident who volunteered her home as a temporary first aid station.  They were back on the road in no time.

Izzy, Hope, Claire and I started 20 miles into the route, here we are just about to set off.  We played "spot the wildlife" through the pretty country lanes.  Many sitings including the rare grey parrot ;-)

Catriona, Ellen and Sophia rolling into the first feed stop.....

.........Followed by Chris, Cass and Katy 

All the 50 milers met up at the first feed stop, hosted by Michele and featuring a pot plant (out of shot I'm afraid)

With everyone re-fuelled and patch up next stop was Bethersden where we met up with Alison; cheese straws, cucumber sandwiches and oatie biscuits.  We met Kim Anderson from SERRL, fortunately they were using the hall so we were able to take advantage of the facilities!

First to arrive at the seaside were Hope and Izzy, we managed to locate Roger and the van at the Martello tower where we all tucked into baguettes and of course more cake.

It was much less breezy in the car park though!

On the sea wall at Dymchurch

With all the excitement of arriving and the frenzy of eating we overlooked the need to get on with planning our return journey.  With just over 20 minutes to get 5 riders and their bikes to the station at Appledore there was lots of running around and loading and unloading of kit and bikes.  Ellen decided she'd like to have a go at riding the return leg.  Roger and Nick mobilised on the station run, Catriona was left in the car park wishing she could join Ellen and Sophia was already en route to the station (also wishing she was riding).  Our main problem at KVK is everyone wanting to ride!!!!  Sarah and Malcolm had departed with Calvin, Hannah, Toni, Polly & Ellen.  Damian, Cass and I were behind and chasing until they finally got a puncture and had to pull up.  Meanwhile Roger was at Woodchurch with Catriona, Chris and Alison wondering where we had got to.

Now, why have I never got a pen when I need one?

Finally back at Hilden, 102 miles later

Classic Malcolm

Katy, cut and bruised but still smiling!

Rare specimens caught on camera

No wonder Sarah is popular with the girls, she is SO well code coded!

Well done and thank you to everyone who took part;  our driver Roger, our adult riders Cass, Sarah, Claire, Katy, Chris, Damian, Me, our feed crew Michele and Alison.  Additional help from Nick and Heather and great photos from Michele.