On Wednesday we set out from Woodchurch 4 guys and Rosemary and reached St Michaels, Tenterden via Susans Hill and a pretty if rather well trafficked route. There we picked up the cycle route 18 heading for Tunbridge Wells, making for Hole Park at Rolvenden. The weather and the May countryside were `perfick' as H E Bate's, Pop Larkin is wont to say. Bluebells under the trees, Queen Anne's lace frothing along the roadsides, and hawthorn and appleblossom piled alo...

Zambia with the Book Bus By Rosemary Stutchbury Just occasionally I like to go adventuring on my own without a bike and thought this account might interest our regular readers. The Book Bus is a charity originally set up in Zambia to work with local schools and spread enthusiasm for reading and stories. See www.thebookbus.orgOne full time organiser Kelly stays in Livingstone, while the rest of the crew are volunteers. Some what anxious about my ability to c...

Exploring the environs of Faversham Conceptually it was an easy ride. Check out the pub at Oare Creek, retrack and ride to Harty Ferry, take the Saxon Shorepath to Conyer Creek and then return to The Shipwright's Arms for lunch. Norman of Quarryville and John of Millstone, found some free parking which was the other side of town from the suggested parking. But it was free. And it wasn't residents only - possibly because the signs had been overpainted. Ruth ...

Ragstones: Forging Bonds What are the primordial experiences that underpin the steely Ragstone bonds? One such was in 1994 - an NSPCC ride from London to Paris - extended by the embryonic Ragstones to include the return journey. The Ragstones started at Tower Bridge and then fought a galeforce head wind to Portsmouth - a mere 85 miles - to catch a ferry to the North French coast. There were then three days of rides to Paris. Despite chaotic organisation, the...

Tri-Hospice Sponsored Ride The Ragstones ensured that the annual sponsored ride for the Pilgrim's Hospice was well supported. John and Juliet cycled a 17 miles route to Shadoxhurst, while Ruth, Robert and Peter aided by three young men who joined them, cycled between the Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet hospices. There were some great adventures along the way. Peter took a wrong turn to Pegwell Bay. It's marked no cyclists a temporary Ragstone cried. We never...