NEW Night Ride event – 2 September 2017
Sign up for the TWC&S Night Ride, taking place on Saturday 2 September. This is a free to enter ride from Tunbridge Wells to Hastings leaving from the Tunbridge Sports Centre entrance at 1am and arriving in Hastings before 5am for sunrise. We'll have an early breakfast in Hastings before catching the first train back to Tunbridge Wells on Saturday morning.
The route is 56 miles (92km) following B roads travelling out through Pembury, towards Matfield, then on to Goudhurst, Hartley, Iden Green. We'll then head north towards St Michaels, Woodchurch and finally travel south through Rye and on to Hastings, finishing at the Pier.
View or download the route here: https://www.strava.com/routes/8147620
What do I need?
Your own road bike and helmet. It is essential that you have good quality front and rear lights fitted on your bike and wear reflective, high visibility clothing. We also ask that you bring a spare inner tube that is specific to your bike, should you get a puncture en route.
What type of bike should I use?
The route is all on roads therefore we recommend using a road bike. We suggest that your bike is serviced before the ride to minimise the chance of any mechanical problems. The Velo House provides everything from a basic safety check to a full strip down service. Contact them on 01892 554500 for info and prices.
How fit do I need to be?
Cycling 56 miles (approx. 92km) at night is achievable with a good fitness level. We will aim to ride at an average pace of 14-16mph for the duration of the ride with a few breaks.
What do I need to be aware of when cycling at night?
It's vital that you follow the Highway Code throughout the ride. Please note that this is an informal group ride and you are entirely responsible for your own safety throughout. There will not be road closures on this ride.
We will be travelling on a mixture of A roads and B roads, finishing in Hastings town centre. We aim to stay as a group or smaller groups depending on the conditions throughout the ride. We ask that you respect the local residents along the route and keep noise levels to a minimum.
How will I get back?
Trains will be running from Hastings to Tunbridge Wells from 0548 and then approximately every half hour throughout the morning. For more information go to https://www.thetrainline.com/
There will be a safety briefing posted online one week before the ride and a short safety briefing prior to setting off.