We decided to take Bertie away to somewhere new, not too far away under the circumstances. Denise and I have fond memories of Rye and the surrounding area from our childhood so we take a chance and select a CAMC club site located between Hastings and Rye. I took my hybrid bike and Denise had her e-bike – just as well because it is very hilly. I am still suffering a bit with my asthma so I took it carefully – even so I managed to get up a 25% incline without stopping – just! That was on a solo reccie ride, I daren’t let Denise tackle it, so I found a 12% incline as a slight detour – that was just about OK! The beach between the site and Rye is actually part of an RSPB reserve with a dedicated bike/pedestrian path – so it was quite deserted – unlike some reports of other south coast towns this week that were mobbed. The site itself was OK but not our favourite. Almost everyone here brought their dogs to walk in the adjoining woods, so not many kids around. I continue with pictures …
We somehow manage to blag a really good pitch, sunny all day – even though the site is almost full – lucky!On the coastal road from the site to Rye, on my reconnaissance (reccie) ride – making sure that Denise can get to and from Rye without any hassle.about 4-5 miles just like thisIt’s like a raised sea wall, you can get to the top at several points – that’s my hybrid bike.I arrive in Rye, beautiful historic town (and harbour)A good coffee stopBack to the site via the cycle path along the deserted beach (shingle/stones).Another coffee stop?Ouch – I thought that ride down the hill was a nice free ride – now I’ve got to get back up it – I’m only about a km away from the site. I just about made it – in the lowest gear I had on the hybrid bike.Another reccie, this time via Winchelsea. This route is full of 15-16% inclines so I don’t think Denise is going to make it this way either.Just outside WinchelseaDenise and I get to Rye OK and buckle up our bikes. For a town this size, you’d think there would be some bike racks – nope.That’s a plastic drainpipe, could cut through that with a hot knife 🙂Rows of cobbled streets, they all meet at the top of a hill – and the church. We take lunch in a hotel about half way up.On the way back from Rye town towards the beach and harbour, I just had to stop and take a photo of a typical example of how some local authorities are just not looking after their cycle and pedestrian paths. It is supposed to be more than 2 metres wide, but in this condition it forces you into the road – especially when there’s oncoming bikes or pedestrians. It must have been left in this condition for months. It prompted me on my return to volunteer for work at Sustrans who maintain bike routes and paths.The redeeming feature of the site was that this excellent pub was within walking distance, 5 minutes through the woods.Limited lunch menu, but a good selection of beers 🙂Nice garden for seating and eatingTime to go back to the site, last look back …
