As acorns grow

As Acorns grow

Giant oak trees from little acorns grow.

Good old Lidl in this case haven't just stuck a few cycle-stands out of the way around the corner, but bang in front of the entrance to their shop.

Trusty Steed

Many a cyclists may think of their bike as their trusty steed. Not least this one:-

And it wasn't that far from Newmarket!

Saddle

Saddles

A variety of saddles have appeared earlier in this blog, a comfortable saddle is critiocal for riding any distance, and especially when touring.
       

What's left of this one would be none too comfortable. 

I rode a new Brompton today, but only went a few miles before the (smart new) saddle got the better of me, it was so uncomfortable; why, oh why do the make their saddles so uncomfortable?

NCN Route 2

This is the new cycleway which I surveyed and recommended to the local county council in 1994. It links the approximately 7km between Bexhill and Hastings and obviates the necessity to otherwise cycle on a busy main road. It was opened last year (2014) 20 years later!

Compare that with WW2, and all that involved which lasted only six years.

The surface varies from sealed tarmac to pebbles held together with a plastic grid mesh.  It passes quit close to the sea, and in heavy storms of about six months previously parts of the track were damaged by overflowing heavy seas but has since been repaired.

Cut-out figures have been placed at about half way between the towns.  Route 2 passes through Eastbourne onto Bexhill and beyond to Rye and along the Kent coast finishing up in Dover.   I carried out the initial survey for all of that route (Eastbourne to Dover).

Whilst I did represent Sustrans at various meetings, I was actually employed as a Cycling Consultant by East Sussex County Council.

When cycling it is most important to ensure that the rider has a comfortable saddle!  Perhaps there here there had been an explosion 'Down-under'!

This bike was parked in the main street in Bexhill.

Cyclists dismount, why?

Cyclists dismount

WHY?
This is the turn round of a short cul-de-sac.  Why was it necessary to deploy the 'Cyclists Dismount' sign.

The road surface is not to smart.

The Kent Cycling Battalion

The Kent Cycling Battalion

I knew that some members of the '1st. Kent Cyclist's Battalion' of WW1 are commemorated on a plaque, on  wall, inside Wye Church , what I hadn't realised  however was the existence of this grave near the entrance to the church and cemetery. 

There could be others, but I haven't looked at everyone of the many headstones here.  What  I do know is that there is a commemorative plaque to the Kent Cyclists Battalion on a wall in Canterbury Cathedral.

As Wye church lies conveniently on NCN 18 perhaps it could be a little pilgrimage for cyclists.

CYCLEPATHS A SELLING POINT!

CYCLEPATHS A SELLING POINT

The estate agent 'Hobbs Parker' is advertising this 4 + 2 bedrooms barn conversion for sale quoting as its key attraction: nearby cyclepaths. [Hobbs Parker/Little Burton Farm Barn].

The following text has been lifted from their website.

Little Burton Barn

George Williams Way

Kennington, Ashford, Kent TN24 9RZ

A detached Kentish Barn conversion,

wonderfully spacious proportions,

many exposed oak timbers and

enjoying a central and convenient

location - cycle paths run close by

directly to Ashford International

Railway Station.

Guide Price: £745,000