Sunday 17 July 2016

There was a full turn out of the Spin Wheels Team for the Channel 50 Challenge organized by the Channel Rotary Club which started and finished at The Star, St Mary in the Marsh.

Spin Wheels Team at the start of the Channel 50 Challenge

With two full teams entered it was decided we would all ride as a group and the weather was kind with a light westerly wind, probably as light as you are likely to get on the Marsh. Dave Elcombe made the journey down from Maidstone, and Gary Booth came across the Marsh from Rye, Taj & Sue Matharoo and Brenda Davies came down from Ashford. Keith Burden decided on a mountain bike for probably the flattest fifty miles you will ever ride. Bob Burden & Aly Nye rode down from Ashford to join the rest of the club.

After registering the club set off as one group on a well-tested route that took them via Dymchurch, Burmarsh, Donkey Street, Bilsington, Snave to the feed station at Ivychurch. The organizers laid on and outstanding selection of snacks and drinks for the riders. After refreshments the group continued through Brenzett, Snargate, Appledore, Fairfield to Brookland where more sustenance was available for the riders. After crossing the A259 the route continued through Midley, Swamp Crossing, Old Romney and New Romney before returning to St Mary in the Marsh. The team completed the course in 3 hours 18 minutes.

On arriving back at The Star and receiving our medals it was into the pub garden for a beer or two and a plate of chips.

This is an event the club has always supported and credit to the organizers they make improvements every year