On the Road Again!

Didn't go. Sadly I was needed to fix an IT problem for my aunt. That it was lashing down with rain when I set off to drive to Maidstone, plus the spray on the M20 was horrific. By the time I got finished it was too late to get home and get out on the bike. All the more annoying was by then it had changed for the better. Still about 6°C as the highest temp of the day, but at least the roads had started to have a dry line. Instead,  I was walking the dog in Hythe when they were arriving at the hospital. Looks like the Lego will join the bears with the other charity at the Salvation Army.

Already looking at bike things to do in the few months ahead. Before we know it the Whitstable Toy Run will be upon us and of course, the day before is the St Nicks Rally in Ostend.     Last year I was Billy No-Mates and went on my own. Without the aid of TomTom I was unable to find the new rally site and ended up having a drink and lunch in pretty much a bikerless city centre! The Toy Run had a turnout of three from the Kent Centre / Meldrews.... So what else is there?

Sunday 13th April.   This was the 30th Anniversary run organised by the Whitstable Toy Run Association.  And it was another good turnout. Both for the WTRA and also for the Kent Centre. The Kent Centre was possibly due to the NC making an appearance at the Blue & White, and also due to some new members of the SOC coming along to meet us. We set off later from the B&W than usual, and had only gone a mile or so when the "drop off" system had been forgotten.  I was playing tail-end Charlie and caught up with Norman and James (from Dorset) at Ashford's "magic roundabout", where traffic lanes change from traffic lights to traffic lights and no one makes much progress. I slipped to the front and led them up the A251 towards Faversham and then down the little spurt on the Thanet Way into Whitstable and the Gorrell Tank Car-Park. The rest of the group were already there by the time we turned up. Not all of us were goin...

Official Poster

It's that time of year again when we tog up into the horrible conditions and go on the Toy Run. It is the same date as most years on the first Sunday in December. Hopefully it will be a mild day and people will turn out as usual in the many hundreds to make the day a success.

Eggs bought to take to the Whitstable Easter Egg Run on Sunday. How many will make it?

A really good day out for a good cause. Come along and bring a present and some cash.

Went to Whitstable to meet friends and have lunch. A trip to Whitstable wouldn't be complete without some oysters.... YUM YUM. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3758073237_dc4cb442cf.jpg Full story here.

Whitstable Easter Egg Run 2009 Mosaic originally uploaded by Devaldinho . A few of the pics I took.   Old BSA at Whitstable , originally uploaded by Devaldinho . I was lucky to get this at all as I couldn't see anything in the camera screen even with the sun to the front!

Apart from the café not being open on Sunday morning at Samphire Hoe when we arrived the day went off pretty well. There was a good turnout for the breakfast run component and in the end we adjourned to Folkestone and a café over looking the harbour. From there we had a drive up to Stop 24 to meet the people coming down for the Egg Run. And quite a turnout it was too. I was so shocked I even took a photo! Graham Reynolds led the ride from STOP 24 up to Whitstable via Stone S treet and a few back roads to avoid central Canterbury (as shame as in the sun it is a great vi ew of the wall) and out through Blean. The new 40mph limit is a pain in the country once out of town. The turnout was magnificent with what must have been 250 bikes setting off a little late after 2pm. I watched them go and took a few photos and some videos on my camera and one or two are here.

I for one am hoping for good weather on Sunday. Firstly, it is the first Sunday Breakfast meet of the year at Samphire Hoe. A new venture for the Kent Centre of the Suzuki Owners Club, and a new venue. The cafe is more of a giant tea-bar and so there is very little cover. There are loads of picnic tables to sit at though! Secondly, it is the Whitstable Easter Egg Run. I usually go but after a few years of burning the clutch out on the mass ride out, I tend to go and dump the eggs with the organisers and watch the column leaving. Then go home. Might do the same depending on weather! As both are the same day we have a cunning plan (© Baldrick) to get from one to the other. The Samphire Hoe meeting is 10am and after a chinwag, we'll have a ride round to Folkestone Harbour and check out the seafood stalls before going to the meeting place for the run to Whitstable. It makes two events for the Centre diary. Fingers crossed for sunny or at least dry weather.