Tunbridge Wells Rideout Report

Last Sunday saw the team road.cc roadshow turn up in Royal Tunbridge Wells for a rideout with the staff from Cycle Surgery. It turned out to be one of the hilliest events we’ve done to date but with stunning scenery, great atmosphere and a rather posh café stop the group made it back to the HQ, albeit at varying paces.

Cycle Surgery opened their latest store within the Cotswold Outdoor building just a couple of weeks ago right in the heart of the town which made for an excellent meeting place for our group to get signed in, tuck into pastries and consume plenty of coffee.

The weather was a little on the grey side and downright chilly which probably explains why not everyone turned up but no matter, as a group of thirteen of us headed out of the town centre into the lanes to tackle the climbs.

With such a small group the decision was made for us all to take on the longer of the two routes drawn up by road.cc reader rjfrussell. A thirty-seven mile figure of eight ride heading off south-westerly from Tunbridge itself with an elevation figure of 1000m.

After a quick climb out of town we were in the country side and the first of the narrow descents before rolling out on quiet lanes.

The first big climb of the day was ascent of Full Chuck Hatch Road. A short sharp ramp up before a small dip placed you at the bottom of the final part of the climb, a steady meander up through the tree line before delivering you at the exposed peak. The climb itself wasn’t much steep but it was long, one of those where you need to find a rhythm and tap it out.

It split the group but after a regroup at the top the descenders came out to play as we hammered down Kidds Hill nudging the best part of 50mph.

Reaching Forest Row at around the midway point it was time for a much needed refuel so we gathered around a table at Java and Jazz ordering bacon rolls, cake and a surprisingly large amount of double espressos.

The group had slimmed down somewhat by the time we’d reached the last ten miles with some riders taking a slightly quicker route home to beat the runout of parking tickets and the like. We were now a group of seven tackling climb, descent, climb – you get the picture – tapping out the pace with the lunchtime sun on our backs. Yep, the cloud had disappeared and the temperature was climbing, perfect time for a puncture then.

Tyre fixed we continued towards Tunbridge Wells, the roads busier than when we left a few hours before but even the nagging headwind couldn’t dampen the spirits. Some legs may have been getting tired but we rolled into town as a group to devour all the food and drink laid on back at HQ.

All that was left was for the riders to delve around inside the Schwagaway box and take home a handful of free cycling goodies.

It was a great morning out on the bike and nice to meet some of our readers on their local roads. Thanks to all of you who turned up and to Cycle Surgery who made us all feel very welcome.

We’ve got some more rideouts planned with Cycle Surgery which we’ll announce soon but in the meantime we’re off to Decathlon’s Oxford store on the 17th April plus #teamroadcc member Pete has organised a ride from Royal Leamington Spa on the morning of Saturday April 2nd.

They are both free so get your name down.