What a fine day it was. The weather was close to ideal for cycling. There was a good atmosphere at the start, in the grounds of Tonbridge Castle. And so we began the 100-mile bike ride. We rode towards the north, that is towards the North Downs (and Ups). My companion was cycling steadily, though there was scope for a little increase in speed on this initial stretch.
We spent the first hours going north. At last, we reached the river Medway. Upnor castle. We continued, up and down. At one time, we were cycling along the esplanade at Rochester, by the river.
And so we continued to the lunch stop, 50 miles from the beginning. My companion was tired and was intent on retiring from the ride. However, some food, some encouragement, and the realisation that rescue would still require a ride of about 15 miles to Tonbridge, on her own, prompted her to continue. At the next refreshment stop, there was further encouragement. There was also the recogntion that the event was a bike ride, that what mattered was completion (and not the time that was taken).
We cycled on. Soon after 1930 we cycled into Tonbridge castle again. One hundred miles. A medal, congratulations, and a goodie bag.
Ride accomplished. Looking forward to next year's one.
Don
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