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Spokes rides and events
Minster - Sandwich - Minster
Sunday 13 April Meet at Minster (Thanet) Station, 10.40 The April Spokes ride will be on Sunday 13 April from Minster (Thanet) station. We will cycle to Sandwich for lunch - further if riders want to and the weather is kind. From Sandwich we'll ride on NCR1 to Preston, then East Stourmouth, cross the river at Plucks Gutter and back to Minster via Monkton. Much of the route is on NCR 15 and NCR 1.The train from Canterbury arrives at 10.36, so the ride will start after this at 10.40. As always, this is a leisure ride and we do not leave slow riders behind. It helps if the ride leader knows who's planning to join the ride, so, if possible, please contact Beatrice Shire ([email protected], 07484 863554.) Ride from Charing
Sunday 15 December Meet at 10.30 am at Charing Station An 18.5 miles ride with options for making it shorter depending on wishes of those who come. Anyone who wishes to come please let ride leader Beatrice ([email protected]) know. If there are no takers there won't be a ride! Wye Downs
Sunday 27 October Meet at 10.30 am (on Winter time) on Sunday 27 October at Wye station Ride below Wye Downs for the 'Buffalo ride'. This is one of rides accessed by rail in the Stour Valley, suitable for all types of cycles and cyclists. It gets its name from the route which looks a bit like a buffalo on a map! Riders are advised to have lights in case of delays. 21 miles which are advertised as taking 3 hours plus time of stops. Leader: Beatrice Shire ([email protected]/07484 863554). Circular ride from Canterbury
Sunday 8 September Meet Canterbury West Station at 10.30 From Canterbury West Station the ride follows the Great Stour Way to Chartham, goes through Chartham and uphill to Denge Wood, on to Waltham, Petham and across Stone Street to Lower Hadres then to Bridge for lunch. Back to Canterbury via Bekesbourne. 
Cycle the Chalk and Channel bike route
St Margaret’s at Cliffe to Folkestone Saturday 10 August, 10.30am St Margaret's at Cliffe free car park, Reach Road, CT15 6AU Dust off your bike and come and discover the Chalk and Channel cycle route from St Margaret’s at Cliffe to Folkestone passing over the iconic white cliffs with amazing views of the channel, cliffs and the French shoreline in the distance. This is part of the National Cycle Route 1 and 2 of which half of this particular route is traffic free. We will be stopping for lunch in Folkestone either at the old port or the Harbour Arm where there is a selection of street food and drinks or you can bring your own packed lunch. Public toilets available. The ride there and back is 26 miles with two big hills, one at the beginning and one at the end but we will take it easy and respect everyone’s pace. There is a possibility to meet at the Dover Marina (outside Bella Vita restaurant) at 11.15am (10 minute bike ride from Dover Priory Train Station) for those who prefer a shorter ride (16 miles there and back). The return time is roughly 3.30pm but will depend on how much time we want to chill out in Folkestone. Can I urge anyone who has not used their bike for a while to make sure their bike is in road worthy condition to avoid mishaps and breakdowns as there is no public transport along half this route. Please bring with you water bottle, helmet, bike lock, snacks, money, and sun cream if needed, high vis vest(if you have one), waterproof jacket, puncture repair kit and pump. Please message me - Isabelle Woodward ([email protected]) - if coming and keep RSVP updated. Hope to see you there. Waiver/Disclaimer: The event is provided free of charge by a volunteer. The host will not be liable for any accidents, losses or injury. Each attendee is responsible for their own equipment, fitness and conduct. When agreeing to attend an event you release and hold harmless the host with regards to any and all injury, disability, death, loss or damage to person or property. Whitstable - Reculver/Margate
Sunday 30 June Meet at Whitstable Station (South side, car park) at 10.30 The ride will go along the coast to at least Reculver. If weather and participants are agreeable, the ride will continue to Margate with a train back - though those who wish could cycle home! If the ride ends at Reculver, a more inland route will be taken back to Whitstable.Final decision about distance will be made with those who turn up at Whitstable! Ride leader is Beatrice Shire ([email protected]). Minster (Thanet) - Sandwich Saturday 6 July Meet Minster station at 9.40 (after the 9.35 train arrives) The ride is about 28 miles. Coffee at Gibsons farm shop, lunch at the Sandwich Shop, Sandwich then cycle back to Minster. There is a station in Sandwich if anyone wants to finish there. Ride leader: Chris Read: [email protected] Spokes rides
Some of our most recent rides... Minster to Sandwich, Hythe to Aldergate Bridge, Canterbury to Chilham, Faversham to Reculver, Feversham to Elmley, Canterbury to Wickhambreux, and around Romney Marsh. |
Spokes rides There are several Spokes rides throughout the year, usually on the first Sunday of a month and generally starting at 10.30. Our rides are a celebration of slow riding and a leisurely exploration of the beautiful Kent countryside and towns. We ride on cycle paths, quiet roads and country lanes - you will often be surprised how few cars you see. We plan to cater for cyclists of varying experience and ability; we are certainly not all lycra. As we ride at “chatting” speed, it’s an opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. We stop for a relaxed lunch at a cafe or pub and most rides start and finish at a railway station. So in short, a Spokes ride is an unashamed escape from day to day living and an opportunity to enjoy Kent and enjoy your bike. The small print...
Could you lead a Spokes ride? We're always looking for people to lead our monthly rides. A ride can be any distance to any location and suitable for any type of bike - and cyclist! The only requirements for a ride are it follows a circular route starting from a railway station and there's a lunch stop. If you're interested, please contact our Rides organiser, Andrew Wyvers, to find out more about what's involved Catha's seat
Catha’s Seat is a remote spot on National Cycle Route 18 and the Stour Valley Walk, with two handcrafted solid oak benches and cycle parking. It is named after Catharine 'Catha' Keegan, a dedicated cycling campaigner who helped plan National Cycle Route 18 from Ashford to Canterbury. Catherine's mission was to create safer cycling routes and encourage their use, so Catha's Seat and the annual picnic provide opportunities for everyone to discover or re-discover this route as well as the joys of cycling and walking in the glorious Kentish countryside. To find out more about Catha's seat and the annual ride and picnic, please visit http://cathas-seat.org/. 
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