After last week's soaking in Stelling Minnis, a core Ragstones team (Peter S, Judith, Mary, Peter C, Tim, John's E and G, and Martin B assembled at Bedrock. John G had already experienced gale force gusts on the way over, and gratuitous soakings from oncoming high speed white van puddle ploughers. Down Lympne Hill (who in their right mind would cycle up it in such fast flowing torrents?) and onto the bright, breezy expanse of Romney Marsh. A 60mph breeze in fac...

Four hardy cyclists completed the ride from Aldingto via Elham to the Lord Whisky: John E, John G, Peter C and Tim. At the cafe in Elham High Street and later at the Lord Whisky, lesser Ragstones joined to give moral support and enjoy the elevnses and lunch stops! The pictures of the Nailbourne at Barham demonstrate the water levels - an there's been lots more rain since! Fortunately the Lord Whisky is on high ground. Mel and team took pity on us (for not bei...

The weather wasn't good, but four hardy souls, John, Judith, Mary and Peter, stocked up with calories, Mary's Christmas Cake, lashings of tea and a warm in front of the log fire before setting out from Mary's to find the first coffee stop at Monkshill Farm. After enormous coffees, hot chocolates and more cake, it was time to leave the comfortable coffee house and friendly staff, and depart for lunch. In fact, we were late! Fortunately, John's bike satnav sugg...

The weather wasn't good, but four hardy souls, John, Judith, Mary and Peter, stocked up with calories, Mary's Christmas Cake, lashings of tea and a warm in front of the log fire before setting out from Mary's to find the first coffee stop at Monkshill Farm. After enormous coffees, hot chocolates and more cake, it was time to leave the comfortable coffee house and friendly staff, and depart for lunch. In fact, we were late! Fortunately, John's bike satnav sugg...

This is the mostly true story of a 250 mile, four day cycle ride along the River Danube from Passau in southern Germany to the Austrian capital, Vienna. The cast: Tim Hill: retired retailer; leader Sarah Leaver: pharmacist John East: retired engineer and power station maniac Alex Shearer: author, play-write and intellectual John Goodman: retired business executive and scribbler Monday, Sept 16th: 6 a.m. Tim, Sarah and John G board the Eurost...