What is the point of writing a blog that nobody reads? Would you rather be a hammer or a nail? Who said that a picture is worth a thousand words? Now this is a sobering thought for those of us who like the sound of our own voices. Admittedly this week's picture of three Ragstones bowling along the lanes of Kent under a glorious blue sky does serve as a half decent testimonial to the simple pleasures of cycling, but Rupert Brooke would surely have captured the mo...

Judith, Ruth, Peter and John pedalled out of CH and down the hill towards Eyethorne. Ruth knew a shortcut along a shady lane, which eventually opened onto open fields and a colourful display of wildflowers, predominantly a purple one with four names which even after four repetitions, John could still not get right, let alone memorise! Passing through Barfrestone and its Romanesque church and magnificent voussoirs, John and Peter were reminded of a recent visit to...

The little village of Villiers-le-Roux lies deep in the heart of the Charente region of South West France. As far as the eye can see, vast fields of yellow sunflowers sway in the balmy breeze. At nearby St Fraigne, the climate and soil combine to produce the sweetest Charentais melons. To the south, the gentle slopes are host to the neat rows of vines which produce the world's most celebrated golden spirit, Cognac. Further south and west is Bordeaux, and the...

Only three stalwart Ragstones set off today, so it was decided to make it easy quick spin, then lunch, then quick spin back.The weather was glorious, Rosemary had a new bike.What more could we need for a fabulous day? Yes, a grand lunch at the Royal Oak at Brookland. Rosemary went well on the new bike but had some difficulty with getting on and off, just as well none of the photos show the process. More practise should make for smoother manoevres. The Marsh was ...

The Lord Whisky Cyclo-Sportive This was the Lord Whisky's first attempt at running a Cyclo-Sportive and it was a great success. Over 150 rides took part, including John (E)and Rebecca, who completed the 110km ride and Ruth, Adonis and Peter who did the 80km ride. Organisation was perfect and everyone was very friendly. The organisers were very pleased with the event and seemed keen to do it all again next year. So, put it in your diary for the same time next yea...