08\05\16 - Hop Garden 200km Audax

At last I finally managed to start a ride from Meopham (Kent), although sadly I still can't pronounce it!  Another surprise was to find that I actually knew some of the other riders (outside of HW).  GrahamK turned up, though I was unable to keep up with him from the start.  AlexP & JohnM were also there to do the 160.  Got going at 08:00 and made our way via hills, dales, over the Medway alongside the M2 and into the inner depths of Kent until we reached Hythe.  Then came the flat bit, with the afternoon heat.  I struggled and then some.  Managed to keep going but the final few miles were uphill, very uphill.  Even Alex had sorted out the one of his bikes that had a triple!  My only claim to fame was that I was able to get to the top of those hills without dismounting.  I got back at 18:45, about an hour behind GK.  On the 160, Alex got back about 16:30 whilst John's leg gave way and he was unable to progress beyond Iden Croft Cafe (80 miles) without the assistance of a taxi.  PW.