 We don’t see much of him these day’s but he’s always worth waiting for. Kevin welcome’s you to the 21st edition of Trailnet’s Newslettter. What started as a Spring edition, then Summer has migrated into a review of our year’s activities. How time flies when you’re enjoying yourself ! There was a special Challenge Ride edition which many of you saw and hopefully felt inspired to try next year. We have had a lot of rides led by new Ride Leaders this year, partly due to the drawn out injury to Geoff T, but also to add a bit of variety. Unfortunately another addition to the injury list is John C, having fractured his leg whilst riding on the road. Speedy recovery John. Thanks to Gary and Suzie, Steve, Phil, Eric and Simon and all who have contributed routes and especially cakes. It’s very much appreciated. So, in addition to our regular Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday rides, plus the various rides organised for third parties which take place throughout the year, this is what we’ve been up to. Working backwards in time over a very varied year our most recent Social Ride was the Epping night ride. ***********************************
Friday 10th October 2025
A perfect evening for cycling around Epping Forest but only five turned up for a very enjoyable route which had plenty of off-road sections on good surfaces. Kings Oak food and drink worth the effort too.
Next year don’t miss it !!!
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Thursday 25th September 2025
Macmillan Cake Ride, starting at Hornchurch Country Park and led by Eric. All made very welcome by Karen and a good cause to support.
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Thursday 18th September 2025
The ever popular Whitstable Ride, heading out from Blean Woods to Reculver Towers, back along the coast to The Old Neptune pub for lunch then returning along the ‘Crab and Winkle Way’ to our cars.
Lost a few on the way, sorry Elaine who was on her own, at least others were together. All’s well that ends well and lots of smiles once we all were together again at The Old Neptune.
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For this years Challenge Ride we were offered the choice of riding up Mont Ventoux in France three times in one day, or we could ride The Cantii Way in Kent. Sunday 7th September 2025Our leader, who likes a challenge, opted for Mont Ventoux which is the most famous mountain in cycling and featured in this years Tour de France. Read his story HERE
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The Cantii Way was 140 miles over 3 days, see previous newsletter for more details.
Sunday 7th September 2025
Sixteen riders plus Ed, 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 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.
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.
After a short rest we headed towards Ramsgate and Ebbsfleet before cycling through Sandwich Estate with it’s famous Royal St. Georges Golf Course and Sandwich and Pegwell Bay. Then it was on to Deal. Swimming for the brave with strong currents to contend with. Choice of lunch venues, nice place.
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.
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’.
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.
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Thursday 28th August 2025
Roxwell Ride, thanks to Simon for organising a very enjoyable new route starting and finishing at The Hare on the Roxwell Road, Chelmsford. Good feedback on the ride and the lunchtime hospitality. Hopefully a repeat in 2026 Simon.
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Friday 8th August 2025
Pleasant evening for Eric’s Viper Ride. Short route with some hills to work up a thirst and The Viper is a much better pub these days with the occasional Olympic medalist lunching there.
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Thursday 24th July 2025
A ride around the many Bridleways and country lanes around Billericay with some light refreshments after. Always pleased to see a good turnout and good to see Roger who came round.
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Thursday 10th July 2025
Galleywood Ride, led by Eric with wet areas clearly pointed out to Geoff. Starting from a well hidden Horse and Groom, on Galleywood Common, with the odd beer or two afterwards. Non-alcoholic of course.
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June 2025Jon and Alison as we know have a love of the Scottish Islands and this year saw them once again on Scotland’s West Coast. Read their story HERE
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June 2025
Nick and Sandra spent a week riding a ‘6 ferries route’ through Suffolk and Norfolk. If you like Suffolk you’ll enjoy reading their article.
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Thursday 19th June 2025Gt. Notley ride, with some welcome additions from our Tuesday Improvers group who are a sociable mix of improving and improved riders so if you can’t make Thursdays Intermediate ride Tuesday is an option, Alan from this group chose to ride, spurred on by the thought of good food and beer. Read his account of an unexpected ending HERE
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Thursday 29th May 2025
Alison cake ride starting in Billericay but heading out towards Ingatestone with a few hills thrown in. Nice cakes afterwards and great that Brian S popped into say hello.
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Thursday 22nd May 2025
Frinton Ride, nice day out by the sea with fish and chips washed down by the odd ale or vino
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Tuesday 13th May 2025
Cycling together, a joint project between Trailnet and Women Together was a finalist out of 700 organisations in the National BBC ‘All in the Mind Awards’.
A feature and interviews were broadcast on Radio 4 and whilst not the winner to be listed as one of only three finalists was a fantastic result for all concerned.
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Weds 7th – 10th May 2025For this years ‘holiday’ we returned to The Bell Inn at Brook in the New Forest and Nick aided by Pip did a good job sorting out the daily routes. Trip very well organised by Viv and Elaine as you would expect. Read Nick’s account of this year’s adventure HERE
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Tuesday 6th May
During Purp’s cycling holiday Gary and Suzie kindly organised a ride from their home and supplied light refreshments afterwards which was very much appreciated. Nice to ride in different areas.
This was one of a number of rides they hosted so big THANK YOU to Suzie and Gary,
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Thursday 24th April 2025
Bedgebury, always a nice test of your stamina, a very well laid out track for cyclists. Forestry England have created a number of off-road trails through their forested lands so look out for them on your travels,
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April 2025
Geoff T enjoys cycling as we all know. Read about his ride through Spain from Seville in the south to Gijon on Spain’s north coast, some 600 miles with the odd hill thrown in and panniers loaded with all your supplies.
As most of us won’t be attempting this read his story HERE
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Thursday 13th March 2025
Time for Fish ‘n’ Eels. Nice easy start along River Lee Navigation Canal before looping back around Stanstead St. Margaret’s and Amwell before heading south through Hertford Heath to Broxbourne.
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February 2025
As for Ed, well as far as I know the North Pole hasn’t hosted an F1 Race so why drive there in a camper van aka Trailnet Support Vehicle.
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Thursday 27th February 2025
Usual good turnout for the year’s first social event, the London Canal Ride. Always an enjoyable and interesting ride with the best pizza’s at The Crate Brewery to saviour.
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February 2025
Alison and Jon holidayed in Sri Lanka and obviously hired some bikes. Signs saying ‘if charged by a wild elephant take cover’ are not the usual hazards we encounter but advise such as ‘if you can’t distract the Elephant ‘Run faster’ must have been very helpful !
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January 2025Bernie and Val climbing Pico de las Nieves in Gran Canaria, 6,394 ft high at it’s summit, hopefully they didn’t start at sea level. Lots of organised rides to be had on the various Canary Islands and bike hire fairly plentiful.
  Bernie with Val in hot pursuit, or was it the other way around ??? ***********************************
Check out our Magazine section for
Danny’s Not The Pub quiz
**************************** An ode from our resident Bard****************************
Answers Danny Xmas Quiz**************************** Social Rides 2025
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