Trailnet e-Newsletter – A September full of Challenges
Mr Bond welcomes you to the19th edition of Trailnet’s Newslettter.
A ‘ special ‘ September Challenge edition before an Autumn edition summarising the years activities is released in a few weeks time.
Not having much fun this September are Mr Bond hopeful Danny, hopefully you’ll be able to shoot straight soon (might get the role then, you never know) and Geoff T (aka Purps) both of whom continue to require hospital treatment but at least they’ve both been back in the saddle recently.
A big thank you to all those who stepped in to lead rides during Geoff’s absence and speedy returns for Jane and anyone else who is unable to ride as they would like at the moment.
******************************** For this years September Challenge Ride we were offered the choice of riding up Mont Ventoux in France three times in one day, exhausting, and descending the same, frightening. Or, we could ride The Cantii Way in Kent. As Simon and Phil had already reached the top of said mountain and Val and Bernie had already ridden up a higher mountain in Gran Canaria, it seemed a shame to leave them alone in Kent so we all elected to ride The Cantii Way. That’s our excuse anyway. Sunday 7th September 2025All that is except our valiant leader who likes a challenge. Mont Ventoux is the most famous mountain in cycling and featured in this years Tour de France. The top is above the ‘Tree Line’ and has a barren landscape and I suspect a distinct lack of oxygen especially on the third climb. Eleven hours of riding, 85 miles and 14,000 feet of climbing.
Well done Geoff.
We look forward to your article in the next newsletter which is bound to inspire others.
*********************************** The Cantii Way of course was 140 miles, but over 3 days and with slightly less elevation !
Sunday 7th September 2025
Sixteen riders plus Ed, without whom the ride would not be possible, set off from Ashford heading north towards the ever popular Whitstable via Canterbury, then following The Crab and Winkle Way but in the opposite direction to our annual Whitstable ride.
After an easy 6 or so miles a 450ft climb up the wrongly named Kent ‘Downs’ was the main challenge of the mornings 28 mile stretch but weather was good and then it was downhill most of the way to the North Kent Coast.
After lunch a flat ride along the coast to Reculver then on to Minster. A 17 mile ride and 500 ft of elevation to add to the mornings 1200 ft.
 Lots of history at Reculver Towers, a few ancient beings were on display!
Monday 8th September 2025
Another fine day greeted us on Monday for an initial 2 mile slog to The Spitfire and Hurricane Museum which had some good displays.
Then it was on to Deal via Ramsgate, with views over Ramsgate Harbour and Sandwich, interesting ride through Sandwich Estate with it’s famous Royal St. Georges Golf Course and Sandwich and Pegwell Bay.
Fairly easy 14 miles left some energy for a swim by the pier before lunch, but not for all.
 The afternoons 19 mile ride to Folkestone along the coast with some great views and steady climbs into a strong head wind made the 1250 ft of elevation a good challenge. Riding down to sea level and around Dover Castle, past Shakespeare Beach but then up again along Shakespeare Cliff. Excellent days riding, 35 miles and 1500ft of elevation.
Tuesday 9th September 2025
Tuesday was to be the longest ride with a 25 mile, initially hilly, then flat coastal coarse to Dungeness for a coffee stop. Passing Hythe, Dymchurch, St. Mary’s Bay and Lydd-0n-Sea before reaching the somewhat desolate Dungeness Beach with wooden shacks and vans housing a mix of old hippies and people who must like the remoteness albeit in the shadow of Dungeness Power Station complete with Lighthouses.  After a brief coffee stop at Dungeness’s Britannia Inn, we headed through the Dungeness Nature Reserve for a 16 mile ride to Rye for lunch. Lots of inland ‘wetlands’ with many seabirds and drainage channels with the less than glamorous name of ‘Jury’s Gap Sewers’.
Lunch in Rye was at the excellent Globe Inn Marsh, good food and beer if you’re in the area.
 The final leg was 22 miles north to Ashford, a couple of climbs after a fast start then on through Woodchurch and Shadoxhurst before a nice ride along the Great Stour River through Victoria Park and around Ashford crossing numerous busy roads to Eureka Park.
Just over 60 miles on last day to give 143 miles overall and 4,500 ft of climbing, not quite Mont Ventoux but a brilliant and sociable 3 days of cycling, sight seeing, eating and the odd drink.
Brilliantly led by Purp’s and others when GPS battery failed. Indispensable support from Ed and thanks to Geoff for finding time to book hotels whilst training for his ride in France and Alison K who organised food.
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Saturday 20th September 2025
So that’s it for September Challenges, or so we thought but Geoff had been secretly training in his bath for Swim Serpentine in Hyde Park. He chose to swim the 2 mile course, not exactly a leisurely swim more like being in a washing machine with hundreds of other people.
 Geoff joins an elite group of just over 4,000 people who have completed the three London Classics, London Marathon, Ride London 100 and the two mile open water Serpentine Swim. Considering the last two London Marathons had over 53,000 finishers and it’s been going since 1981 albeit with less participants, that is quite a small group which also includes Annie who completed the trio last year. Well done Geoff and Annie.
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Up next on Friday 3rd October is our Epping Night Ride.
Early October date makes this ride accessible to many more of us with more daylight and warmer temperatures hopefully. Not too demanding but you’ll need lights!!
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