A stark change from zwifting alone in a dark damp garage, I find myself in the car park of Beckenham Sports Club (that might not sound like an upgrade but trust me, it is!). It is awash with the unmistakable Foxgrove CC pink, white and blue. The sun is shining, and I am about to ride on real roads, with real people for the first time in a long time.
All emotions are very positive and everyone is on a high.
We turn left out if the club. I make it 50 metres up the road and I realise there isn’t enough air in one of my tyres! Oh no! I panic and think it’s over before it’s begun!
It’s been so long, and in my excitement to get back out again, I’d forgotten to do the proper checks on my bike. Luckily the club has a resident roadside repair specialist, Dave. He whipped out a gas canister and I’m spinning again in seconds.
Feeling a little more confident on the bike, I turn my attention to the route. It’s full of some of the most stunning views of the north Kent countryside that are possible to see on a bike.
Annoyingly these views are not all accessible by cycling on the flats and downhill. Not long in and the calves, quads and hamstrings are fully engaged as we meet a bit of an incline on our way out towards The Ridge.
Hills are where the benefits of cycling with a club like Foxgrove really kick in. This isn’t a cycling club based on elite performance and racing each other. It is a group of cycling enthusiasts at varying levels of experience and ability who just LOVE getting out on their bikes and supporting each other! As cyclists, we know hills are tough: they pull your energy, require higher focus and can be REALLY painful. All of that is made a bit easier with a wheel to pace off and some supportive words from the gang.
With the first few hills successfully out of the way, we press on towards our coffee (and massive piece of cake) stop at Four Elms. Having set off in two groups, we now get to meet up a little over half way to shake off the legs and refuel.
Massively differing re-fuel strategies follow. While our table choose the high-sugar carrot cake option, the next table have curiously chosen to tuck into halloumi, bacon and egg baps with hash browns!
With bellies full of grub and caffeine, we’re now a little worried about the journey back to the club which will wind further through Kent.
Having found a steady cadence and a surprisingly co-operative stomach, we reach a tense part of the ride… Now, as a few of the members will let you know, I’m not one for analysing a route (or loading it on a Garmin…) before a ride 🤭! So, as we approach the roundabout at the bottom of Sundridge Road (off Jct5 of the M25), I’m really hoping the guys in front don’t turn left to take us up Starhill.
I mean, I’m REALLY hoping they don’t turn left.
I cannot describe my elation as Steve and Perry take the second exit and guide us towards Polhill. This is by far the easier option to get us up and over, and cruise back to the club for a San Miguel and a mountain of Mini Cheddars that I can already taste.
Perry and I find an extra gear and power up to the top, wait for the others and regroup. It really is largely downhill from here and an enjoyable jaunt back to where we started.
Ride over and sun still trying its best to shine, we are back at HQ with a drink in hand chatting rubbish about how much we love cycling.
A much needed few hours of escapism, adventure, change of scenery, social interaction, cake and beer.
*After the year we’ve had, we all needed this*
written by Ali