Kent Velo Kids: KVK Camping Weekend 10-12th July

We headed down to Nethergong Farm at Upstreet near Reculver on the East Kent Coast for a weekend of camping and bike riding. Everyone finally arrived on Friday evening despite delays caused by Operation Stack, family pets and school choirs. A tasty Spag Bol supper courtesy of Katie and Clare went down well before settling down around the camp fire for marshmallows.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny. After a hearty breakfast we loaded up and parked at Reculver for the start of our first ride to Broadstairs. It seems there is really very little need for handlebars between Reculver and Minnis Bay. Our first stop was for coffee and milkshakes and a quick cooling dip for the legs. Onwards to Broadstairs where we lunched on sarnies and chips and caught the beginning of the afternoon concert at the central bandstand. The return journey was always going to be harder (more of a headwind this way). We stopped once again at West Bay for ice cream and milk shakes before tackling the final windy section back to Reculver. Tired but happy it was back to the campsite for an evening of badminton, barbecue and a few beers (adults only of course).

Sunday called for a shorter ride than originally planned as all those things that needed to be done back home started calling. We headed back up to Reculver but set off to the West towards Herne Bay and Whitstable. We stopped short of Whitstable at Tankerton where the kids proceeded to bury each other in the stones. Next it was back to the campsite where we managed to produce quite a feast from left over barbecue and cooked breakfasts, the challenge was to eat all the food we'd brought with us. A great team effort on clearing up (food, tents and bikes) left us ready to leave by 3pm.

We were very lucky with the weather, the company and the location and this definitely goes down as one of my favourite weekends of 2015. Thanks as ever to our parents and riders who entered into the spirit of the weekend to make it a truly memorable and successful event.

We started our rides from Reculver Country Park, Ellen, Polly, Hannah, Toni, Sophia, Calvin, Luke, Hope, Izzy, Catriona, Kary, Katy, Claire, Malcolm, Chris, Damian and Nick (Not shown Alison, Roger and Michele)