England : Kent Very late Christmas Whitstable Night Ride - Isle of Thanet - 10th January 2014

[CharlieB]

Okey dokey. Be quick - I managed to get a return ticket with a railcard to Whitstable just now for £19. Not on the whizzy train, though, and it only saves 5-8 minutes in any case.

 

[Dogtrousers]

As I mentioned before, I'm planning to board the slow diddly-dum train at Bromley South to arrive at Whitstable not long before midnight. I may, in a fit of efficiency, go for the one before that, but I doubt it. In the morning I have a half formed plan to continue on to Maidstone in the morning, depending on state of legs, weather, etc.

 

[CharlieB]

As I mentioned before, I'm planning to board the slow diddly-dum train at Bromley South to arrive at Whitstable not long before midnight. I may, in a fit of efficiency, go for the one before that, but I doubt it. In the morning I have a half formed plan to continue on to Maidstone in the morning, depending on state of legs, weather, etc.

I'm on dat late choo choo. I'll look out for you.

 

[CharlieB]

OMG, this is gonna hurt. Just been for a wee spin round the Chilterns, out of condition, overweight, not good.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Don't worry - we'll all be at the back!

 

[martint235]

Good luck everyone. Hopefully you'll stay in front of the rain!! Have a safe ride.

 

[User10571]

Wishing all participants a very fine ride.
Not sorry to have gone for the under-the-duvet option.
Ride safe, all.

 

[StuAff]

Wishing all participants a very fine ride.
Not sorry to have gone for the under-the-duvet option.
Ride safe, all.

+1. A daytime (or starting a-bit later-in-the-night-so-I-can-make-it) rerun some time I hope.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Charlie & I are just arriving in Whitstable. We may be some time....

 

[Flying Dodo]

Turns out Andrew was in another part of the train so all 3 of us set off on the damp roads of Whitstable. Not far from the station we came across about 4 assorted ambulances dealing with an incident and suddenly we were on quiet roads and then the eerie silence of the Crab & Winkle Way.

Canterbury only seems to have 2 nightclubs as it was very quiet. In that's been tonight's theme. I think we've had 2 cars go past in 20 miles. We're currently in Tesco's in Dover.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Forgot to say weather is warm, and no rain. Wish I'd worn shorts.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Deal or no Deal? Nothing to eat here in Sandwich, but lots of bars.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Well, we were a bit miserable in Margate, we belted through Beltinge, had a rest in Reculver and now we're in Whitstable where we're............




waiting for breakfast.

 

[Flying Dodo]

And now I'm on my own personal train HS1 speeding through the Kent countryside in glorious sunshine. We all had a great time, riding along at a modest but constant pace (as we had to eke out the miles so that we didn't arrive before The Waterfront opened at 8:30).

When we reached the coast at Deal, we saw the ominous black clouds offshore, reaching towards us with dark tentacles like the Grim Reaper. Fortunately the wind was with us and it wasn't until we got to Margate that some water started to hit us. It wasn't rain, more heavy drizzle although by now the wind was more in our faces making it a bit of a slog. However, as it got lighter, everything brightened up, so after Reculver, it had stopped, and then we were on the home straight (unlike a banned horse we were subsequently watching on the TV in The Waterfront, called Mad Moose). Breakfasts were ordered and devoured.

I need to tweak the route in a couple of places as it would be great to run this in the summer when we'd see so much more.

Thanks Charlie & Andrew for turning up & riding along.

We also thanked the staff at The Waterfront for looking after the FNRttC mob so well.

 

[User10571]

You mentioned Beltinge.....
So did you follow the costal path after Margate or did you take to the roads?