From Jon L An Exceptionally hot sun! … Fifteen arrived at Orsett – trying to find a shady tree. It was good to welcome a few folk back who’ve not been able to make it recently. At a sensible pace we headed out around the regular route. Not feeling 100% in the heat I took a shorter cut back to Puddledock, although by contrast Bob did the full Berwick Ponds circuit! well done mate… The usual good chat and banter whilst consuming ‘meat free’ breakfasts and such like… We rolled back to Orsett, it getting still hotter, but glad to say no weather or traffic incidents, this followed by more shady chat and a warm down. Whatever the weather – I know we all look forward to and enjoy these midweek … Read entire article »

From Jon L All eleven of us made the ferry crossing without incident or inconveniencing the other passengers … It was warm and humid out of Gravesend, up and along the Wrotham Road for the left turn into the calmer Country Park. Avoiding the stony footbridges… and after a couple of right turns we made our way into Church Road which led us through the tranquil summer wheat fields to Sole Street – which kind of set the scene for most of the ride. Through the attractive villages of Cobham, Shorne and Upper Higham and along Hermitage Road with inspiring views across the estuary to our own Essex. A steady manageable pace all the way, our challenge was negotiating the numerous temporary red and white ‘road closures’, eventually arriving at the rustic … Read entire article »

From Mark W Hi all I have been thinking about putting some rides together for the rest of the summer. Each Saturday starting from the 27/7/19 for Six weeks, and if it is a success try and keep it going into the winter. The rides will not be a chain gang or a full on ‘see how fast we can go’ ride, but a steady group ride with no drop. I will post up on WhatsApp and the FB group every Thursday with details. All rides will be open for debate for distance and time out, as I know some do not have a lot of time. I’m thinking 2-3 hours for each ride. All rides will start and finish at Bulphan and start at 10am. Can I ask, would anybody be willing to help with this? … Read entire article »

A question relating to how many rides a non member can join before joining the club has been asked a few times. Here is the text from the Constitution. 3.10 Maximum number of attendances for non-members: Non-members riding with the club on organised club rides will be allowed the following number of attendances before being required to become club members: Weekly rides four attendances Recreational (formal) rides two attendances … Read entire article »

Dave Fish wrote ….. This Sunday I’ll be leading a ride along the Lea Valley and the Thames. Meet up at Grays station at 9.00am for the train to Blackhorse Road via Barking. The route will be on cycle paths and cycle lanes at around 10 mph The ride will be about 25 – 30 miles long ending up at Barking. Hope you can come along. Dave … Read entire article »

From Bob D Fifteen riders on todays midweek jaunt round the local lanes and a sociable brunch at the Puddledock cafe.I was soon off the back as usual so have nothing much to say about the groups ride as they were soon out of sight up the road.Andy and I rode together as far as Corbetts Tey from where I took the Sunnings lane short cut and arrived at cafe a couple of minutes before the group having ridden about five miles less.I understand most of them averaged over 18mph to this point.The fast pace was maintained on the return trip which ended safely and incident free. After only missing about half a dozen wednesdays in the last seven years this was probably the last time I shall regularly attend.Next week … Read entire article »

From Phil Baker Does anyone commute to Lakeside as the club has had the email below asking for ideas as to how they can develop sustainable travel to the area? Be helpful if you could meet with them but if not if you wanted to detail any suggestions I could meet them or just pass them on. Good Afternoon My name is Keir Smith. I have recently started in post as a sustainable travel coordinator for intu Lakeside. As part of my brief for promoting sustainable travel to the site, I am contacting local bus/cycling groups to get their views/opinions. If possible, it would be great to meet a representative from your group to have a chat about your experience of cycling to Lakeside, cycling conditions in the areas around the site, as well as … Read entire article »

Here’s a great story about two Gateway Cycle Club members, Alan Hale and Peter Watts and their Lands End to John O’Groats cycle ride in aid of Bloodwise, the charity fighting blood cancer. An incredible achievement for a very important cause. If you would like to make a donation,somewhere in the various pages there is a link to a Justgiving page. Huge effort chaps, well done to all involved. https://www.torqfitness.co.uk/news/summary-bloodwise-lejog … Read entire article »

From Bob D. A good mixed bunch out today.After a very fragmented start,all nine eventually arrived at cafe stop,this included one newbie a friend of Alan H.Lively discussions on a variety of current and past affairs proved what an interesting group of people we have in our midst, it never fails to amaze me the amount of knowledge accumulated and dispensed by this articulate bunch of wheelers,there must be something about bike riding that keeps the old brain cells active.The weather was kind to us today and we stayed mainly dry all day in spite of an iffy forecast.With lots of holidays coming up I expect the numbers out will be varying quite a bit for the next few weeks but hopefully there will be enough each week to make for … Read entire article »

Six of us started out this morning with no rain forecast till at least 1pm,With lots of resurfacing completed on the route a fast pace was maintained and arrived at cafe around 11 15,as it was fairly warm decided to sit outside but prudently at a table with an umbrella.Here we were joined by John L and Ivan B,at midday one hour early the rain started and continued for the rest of the afternoon.Having refused an offer from John for a lift in his car the return trip was made in quite a heavy downpour.As well as being extremely uncomfortable by the time we reached Orsett my Gateway jersey had become polka dot from the spray from following the wheels of the guys in front.Surprisingly nobody complained too much and … Read entire article »