Hythe away day. Sunday 24th May

Bright sunshine seemed promising as I drove down to Hythe, Kent from Berkshire. Looking at the outside temperature on the car dashboard display at 0700hrs, 12.5 degrees, going up to 15.5 degrees when I parked up in Fort Road Hythe. There was a little light cloud and a bit of a breeze, luckily from the east, pushing us all the way to Rye, I thought. Gradually people started to arrive until we were a group of nine.

We set off into the lanes of the Romney Marsh just on 0900hrs and headed via St Mary in the Marsh to New Romney and then onto Dungeness for 11 se's at the cafe at the end of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch light railway. After a suitable break to admire the scenery, bacon butties, steam locomotive, nuclear power station, light house pebbles and more pebbles and a recluse film directors house.

After this, we were off in the direction of Lyde and Camber Sands. The breeze had slightly shifted and was now behind us once again. The speed picked up heading towards Camber Sands. Camber Sands was sunny and warm. The world and his mother were out all in cars, poor devils. Scenes came to mind of kiddies shouting "are we there yet?" for the queue on the road in the other direction as we passed was well over two miles to get into the beach car park. Note to one's self: do not run this ride on the bank holiday weekend; too congested at Camber! Nevertheless, traveling through Camber went without incident; alas that wasn't to last.

Traffic through Rye was heavy, but manageable. After leaving the heavy stationary traffic there we turned north east following the Royal Military Canal towards Stone in Oxney. A momentary touch of wheels led to Paul Kelly to doing "A Pope" and kissing the tarmac. Fortunately, no major damage was done. With a few mechanical adjustments to the bike, words of comfort from us all he was back on his feet and we were on our way. (Full report available on a club night to members, but too long and I'm not writing it up here.)

A moment of relaxation after Mr Kelly kissed the tarmac to look at the Royal Military Canal

Onto the only climb of the day, (I suspect this is why Clarencourt members like this ride; 90% of it is flat as a pancake) but it's worth it for the views all the way across the marshes from Hythe to Dungeness on a good day. After "The hill of Death" we rolled down into Stone in Oxney then onto the Black Lion pub in Appledore for lunch (good food etc). While we were there, we met up with a young couple riding a Freddie Grubb tandem. For more info: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/FreddieGrubb.htm

After lunch, into the lanes again crossing toward Brenzett and a quick stop at the Brenzett WW2 museum, where they have a Barnes Wallis "bouncing bomb" on display. For more info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/wallis_neville_barnes.shtml

We moved on from the museum towards Ivychurch, Newchurch and ultimately back to Hythe. On arriving in Hythe we stopped for the traditional ice cream at the paper shop. At this point Caroline suggested an extension to the ride over to the beach at Hythe. For years I've always assumed that the coast was all MOD, due to Fort Road being access to MOD firing ranges.

I've always been slightly dissatisfied with this ride, due to there being no afternoon tea stop. Alas there's not much out in the middle of the marsh. We now have, as I have christened, "The Caroline solution," ice cream and tea on the beach at Hythe, weather permitting of course. Caroline, thanks for that, a perfect place for a "Post ride debriefing."

A big thanks to all those who turned out to support the ride. Paul Kelly, I hope the bruises are not too painful.

Paul White