• Ride 1. Circular ride from Faversham via Whitstable and Canterbury     
  • Ride 2. Butterfly Count Ride 

Ride 1. Circular ride from Faversham via Whitstable and Canterbury

Jamie leading his Kent ride centred on the off-road Sustrans Crab and Winkle Trail from Whitstable to Canterbury. People assembled at Faversham Station and a group of 15 participants plus 3 backmarkers (needed for such a long ride; Nigel, Mike and John) and 3 marshals to help at junctions and keep the group together (Geraldine, Jean and Eva). Much better weather than last year so a nice sunny lunch stop in Whitstable. Then the climb up on to the Downs usng the Ctab and Winkle Trail. Terrific views to the south from the hill as the descent into Cantebury approached. A few riders stopped at Cnterbury but most took the return route to Faversham via Chartham. A 50km circuit taking just under 7½ hours. So well done everyone and a big thannkyou to the backstops and marshals and a really big thankyou to Jamie for organising and leading.

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Ride 2. Butterfly Count Ride 

Gatekeeper, probably Peckham Rye Park. Photo Angelique.

Our annual search for butterfies to coincide with he national Big Butterfly Count organised by the charity Butterfly Conservation. Weather was good for butterflies, but these creatures proved elusive. Where have they all gone this year?

15 riders started from Dulwich Park and first visited the field off Greendale. The occasional white was all we saw. The nature area in Ruskin Park was not much better. Small Elam Open Space again had the occasonal white butterfly. The nature area in Myatts Fields also had some whites plus probable Gatekeeper. Burgess Park, on the banks on the north side, did have several Gatekeepers. Our last spot, the unmowed area on the south side of Straker Rd, had several white and brown butterflies.

A pleasant ride with the sun out most of the time. But a worrying lack of butterflies.

Route map at https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1n05JmqRvzp9AEDV8SokgbXwYxMw5_R9b&usp=sharing.

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