TOMCC East Kent Branch 70th Anniversary Certificate Run on 2nd June 2019
Well the day dawned bright and clear with the forecast of really fine weather and temperatures of 25 degrees. Seven of us met at Laguna Triumph Ashford ready for what I described as an interesting ‘ride with some narrow roads, with grass growing up the middle’. Oh yes there would undoubtedly be a bit of gravel in the middle as well! We had a great ride along some superb roads with views overlooking the Channel Tunnel terminal, and then we climbed between Folkestone and Dover overlooking the channel itself, before we dropped down onto the Old Dover Road and into the Cliff Top Café at Capel-le-Ferne.
As per normal the café itself was packed – not only with bikers but with people enjoying the sunshine. I think it is fair to say that we all heartily recommend this café for a biking stopover, especially as they have dedicated bike parking that is all on the flat. (With no gravel to be seen)!! As we were all enjoying our coffee there was some reflection on the route so far, with Graeme saying ‘I did not expect to go off roading on my Thunderbird 1700LT’. Well I didn’t think it was that bad and the views were worth it. While we were having our refreshments we were lucky to have the privilege of watching two Spitfires performing barrel rolls over the sea just in front of us. What an evocative sound!!
The route this time took us down into Dover itself, where surprisingly there was very little traffic, and then out of Dover climbing up to Dover Castle. Here rather than take the main tourist route we tuned off towards the White Cliffs of Dover Experience (Another great stop for bikers with a good café and loos – despite being English Heritage entry is free for bikes). The views across the Harbour and then across the English Channel were spectacular, especially on such a clear day.
We continued all along narrow country lanes, meeting several bikers enjoying the ride in the opposite direction. We passed the old Snowdown Colliery buildings, now derelict, and then crossed the old Roman Road (Stone Street) before joining the very narrow and hot Pilgrims way. (Another ‘goat’s track’) From here it was a fairly short hop back to Laguna Triumph and their very welcoming hospitality, cup of coffee and of course the obligatory photo shoot.
