I am sad to report that Fred, who was a cyclist of some repute and had been a member of Meridian, has recently passed away. His funeral is to take place on Wednesday 17th July at Bluebell Cemetery. The funeral procession will be assembling at Polhill roundabout at 1pm; leaving at 1.15 to travel slowly the short distance behind the hearse to the cemetery. The funeral itself commences at 1.45pm.
The family would like friends of Fred to cycle behind the cars and be present at the funeral; if possible in club kit. People attending are invited to the wake which will take place at 7 Martin’s Shaw, Chipstead after the service..
Riders intending to attend the event are asked to ring Len Brown (01689 858464) beforehand so that numbers at the wake can be estimated.
This facility operates in a similar way to the ‘Blog’ in that members can add items (with photos), other members can add replies/responses relating to the item being offerred or wanted.
The initial guidelines are;
1. Items offered must be cycling related.
2. If possible add a photo
3. If you have a preferred means of being contacted, please say so.
4. If the buyer has a query/question then he/she can either hit the ‘Reply/Comment’ button or contact the seller directly.
5. If the item is sold, or is no longer available, please post a Reply/Comment saying ‘Sold’ or ‘Not Available’.
6. Any item still not sold after 4 weeks will be removed.
We leave for Harwich on Monday 10th June in order to board the ferry about 20:00 for a departure at 23:00. All riders who have booked through the club should meet at the dock entrance at 19:30 in order to board as one group at 20:00.
We propose a group dinner on the ferry at 21:00 (that is when the restaurant opens).
We arrive in Hook of Holland at 08:00 on the Tuesday morning with breakfast included and have a very easy (34 miles direct) ride to the Hotel Stayok . We stay at the hotel for five nights.
We leave on Sunday morning to ride the Hook of Holland. We board at about 19:00 hours to depart at 22:00 hours. Once again we propose a group dinner on the ferry. We arrive in Harwich at 06:30 on the Monday morning where having had breakfast, we set off for home.
The rooms are all four bedded; these rates include breakfast and evening dinner each day.
Any outstanding payments should be made to the club account
Sort Code: 09 06 66 Account No. 43226774. With relevant reference
If this is not possible then you can send a cheque to Chris Simms
6 Petersfield Drive, Culverstone Green, Meopham, Kent, DA13 0TR.
The routes mentioned below eg. ‘Route 7’ refer to routes stored in the Runs Library
Travelling to and from Harwich
The majority of riders are making their own arrangements to get to Harwich. Most are going by bike/train although a few will be using 4 wheels rather than 2.
For those intending to cycle you might like to consider joining one of the following groups, albeit this not obligatory.
All riders who have booked through the club should meet at the dock entrance at 19:30 (there are toilets and a shop ) in order to board as one group at 20:00.
Barry
He will be cycling the whole way from Orpington to Harwich using Route 7, 86m. He intends to leave home at 9.15; getting the Gravesend ferry at 11am. This will be an A paced ride.
Heather
We plan to cycle from Eynsford, leaving DA4 0HU at 11.30am. There is room to park at our address, but please let me know if you plan to ride with us so we do not leave without you!
We will cycle to Gravesend (aprox. 14 miles) and take the foot ferry to Tilbury. We plan to get a coffee & lunch at Gravesend. We are aiming for the 2pm ferry but will take the 1.30pm if we arrive early.
We will then cycle to Chelmsford Station (aprox. 30 miles). We plan to take a train from Chelmsford to Manningtree (or train all the way to Harwich – weather and mechanicals dependant): we expect to take the; 5.04, 5.15 or 5.36pm. We may cycle the final 11 miles from Manningtree to Harwich. We aim to arrive in Harwick around 6.30 to 7pm. This is intended to be a B1 paced ride.
David Parker
Meet at Liverpool Street at 12:15.
There are 2 suitable trains to Witham 12:38 and 12:48. Leave Witham about 13:30 plan to arrive in Colchester (about 20 miles) about 15:30, where we can stop for a late lunch or early tea break.
Leave Colchester by 16:30 an plan to arrive in Harwich (about another 20 miles) about 18:30.
Route is mainly following National Cycle Route 51, about 40 miles from Witham to Harwich.
This will be B1/B2 paced ride. Please let me know if you plan to come with me.
Ken & Di
We will be leaving Sevenoaks at 9am, cycling using Route 14 (22m); coffee at Horton Kirby and catching the Gravesend Ferry at 12am. We will then be using Route 17 (18m) to cycle to Shenfield before catching the train at about 3.30pm. Arriving at Colchester at around 4.15; using Route 16 (24m) we will then cycle to Harwich to arrive at about 6.30pm. This allows time for lunch and afternoon tea en route. (If needed Manningtree – Harwich Route 15, 12m)
This will be a B2 paced ride.
Notification
If you intend to join any of the above groups, please notify the group leader(s)
Concessions on the Tilbury Ferry
This is an extract from the ferry website. Travel is free at any time for holders of a Thurrock, Kent or Medway National Concessionary Bus Pass. Other National Concessionary Bus Pass holders travel will be charged at the child rate for a single or return before 9:30am on weekdays, and may travel for free at all other times.
Riding Groups in Holland
On most days, (including the rides to and from the ferry/hotel), there will be A, B1 and B2 rides. These are being coordinated by Chris Simms, Heather/Cathy and Ken respectively.
B1 Group Rides – subject to change
Tuesday – Ride to Hotel Route 40 (41m)
Wednesday – National Park Route 11 (58m)
Thursday – Gouda via Kinderdijk (Gouda Cheese Market 10-12.30) Route 18 55m
Friday- Bike free option water bus to Rotterdam (see ideas) or self led, Route 34 (41 miles) or Route 51 (58 miles)
Saturday – Breda Route 22 (66m)
Sunday – Return via Delft Route 12 (46m)
B2 Group Rides – subject to change
Tuesday – ride to Hotel Route 40 (41m)
Wednesday – Easterly Loop via Almkerk Route 41 (40m)
Thursday – Gouda Route 35 (44m) or Route 18 (55m)
Friday – Day out to Rotterdam by boat (bike free)- see Things to do in Rotterdam or self led National Park loop Route 30 (25m)
Saturday – River Loop Route 34 (41m) or Route 11 (58m)
Sunday – Return via Delft Route 12 (46m)
Packing reminder
Click here for Barry’s packing reminder
Food on Dordrecht Rides
Routes have been planned, but no specific cafes have been identified for midday refreshments. It would be a good idea to carry a couple of energy bars/biscuits as last resort should we not be able to find suitable watering holes.
Suitable Maps
Barry and Heather are using Falk maps Click Here.
11, 14, 15 & 17 cover the areas in which we are likely to cycle.
Heather and Barry (contact data see below) are organising a club trip for next June 2019. They are going to go to Holland via Harwich and stay in Dordrecht for five nights.
35 people have signed up so far see FAQ for details
We will leave for Harwich on Monday 10th June (see travel options below) in order to board the ferry about 20:00 for a departure at 23:00. We propose a group dinner on the ferry at 21:00 (that is when the restaurant opens). There will be no need for overnight accommodation as we will be spending the night on the ferry. (see ferry prices and details below).
We will arrive in Hook of Holland at 08:00 on the Tuesday morning with breakfast included and have a very easy (34 miles direct) ride to the Hotel Stayok . We stay at the hotel for five nights.
We leave on Sunday morning to ride the Hook of Holland. We board at about 19:00 hours to depart at 22:00 hours. Once again we propose a group dinner on the ferry. We arrive in Harwich at 06:30 on the Monday morning where having had breakfast, we set off for home.
The rooms are all four bedded, but the rates per room for single double and triple occupancy are shown below. If four people get together to share then it will be slightly less.
These rates include breakfast and evening dinner each day.
The holiday is officially closed now. However, if anyone is interested, The group ticket for the ferry still has one inside double cabin on it. You will have to sort out your own accommodation as we no longer have rooms on hold at the Stayok hotel. If you talk to Heather, she may be able to help or if you can talk to one of the other travellers as all the rooms are 4 berth 2×2 bunk bedded.
If possible payments should be made to the club account
Sort Code: 09 06 66 Account No. 43226774. With relevant reference
If this is not possible then you can send a cheque to Chris Simms
6 Petersfield Drive, Culverstone Green, Meopham, Kent, DA13 0TR.
Cycle via Gravesend – Tilbury ferry about 85 miles of fairly easy cycling. You have all day to do it
Cycle to Shenfield station via Gravesend – Tilbury ferry about 30 miles. Catch train to Manningtree about £20 and cycle from Manning tree to Harwich about 11 miles or catch another train.
Go by train to Shenfield and then cycle about 60 miles.
Go by train to Manning tree and cycle the last 11 miles (You have to change at Manningtree anyway)
Go by train all the way into London then out again about £60.
Drive to Harwich. Parking at ferry quay is about £8 per day.
If you are intending to take the car all the way, then maybe it would be better to go to Dover – Calais/Dunkerque.
The train that goes from Shenfield leaves from Liverpool street and calls at Stratford, so either of these stations would be an alternative.
All rides start from and return to High Elms Golf Club on the 19th December.
Parking bikes – please walk to the right side of the building and then turn left following the building around. You will see a sloped area with 3 picnic tables, and a large hedge to the left, bikes can be left around the tables and on both sides of the hedge. The only place to avoid if the slope to the right of the tables as the golfers use this for their trolley’s The bikes will be safer here also can be seen from the dining room and coffee area.
Coffee will be served in the bar on the first floor from 10am. Please would all ride leaders make sure that the ride finishes back at High Elms by 12.30pm, to allow time for people to change (if they wish!) and lunch will be served at 1pm. Looking forward to seeing you all.
The club Christmas Lunch is to be held at High Elms golf club following the ride on the 19th December. The (subsidised) cost for members is £21 for a three course meal with coffee.
Guests are welcome when the cost will be £26.
Your reservation and payment can be made to by one of the following methods
Completed booking form by hand or post to Chris Simms together with payment by cash or cheque (see details below)
For the ‘digitally enabled’ you can book online and transfer your money directly to the club bank account (see below)
All cheques made payable to Meridian Cycling Club
Postal address for Chris: Mr C Simms, 6 Petersfield Drive, Culverstone Green, Meopham DA13 0TR
Online bank transfer to
Meridian Cycling Club
Sort Code: 09 06 66
A/C No: 43226774
Please add the reference ‘your name’ to all online transfers – or else he won’t know who it’s from!
Deadline for reservations and payment 12th November
Full Menu
Starters:
Roasted butternut squash soup and smoked paprika croutons. (GF, V)
Classic prawn cocktail with crisp iceberg lettuce round a Marie Rose sauce.(GF)
Pork and cranberry pate, apricot & fresh ginger chutney All starters are served with a selection of artisan breads.
Mains:
Traditional roast turkey with pigs in blankets, sage & onion stuffing balls & gravy
Baked cod loin with a herb crust & lemon scented crushed new potatoes with a fresh thyme and tomato coulis. (GF)
Beef topside cooked in grain mustard & horseradish glaze
Baked mushroom, cranberry & brie Wellington, served with a tarragon & white wine sauce (V) All mains served with roasted potatoes, carrot batons, Brussel sprouts and braised red cabbage
Desserts:
Traditional Christmas pudding with warm brandy sauce
White chocolate raspberry cheesecake served with white chocolate chip ice cream
Gluten free chocolate caramel torte & clotted cream ice-cream (GF)
As you are no doubt already aware, due to the flood of emails you will have been receiving from various companies and organisations over the last few days, the new General data Protection Regulations (GDPR) came into effect on 25th May.
The Club Committee recently agreed to update our current policy to ensure that it complies with the new regulations. The updated policy is now on the website – Click here or at the bottom of this page. Please take a few minutes to read it.
As you are no doubt already aware, due to the flood of emails you will have been receiving from various companies and organisations over the last few days, the new General data Protection Regulations (GDPR) came into effect on 25th May.