We have timetabled the trip for 21st to 28th June 2021. We will use the overnight ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland, staying in Dordrecht for 5 nights. Members will also be able to make their own alternative travel arrangements; partners (riding or non riding) would be welcome.
On our last visit in 2019 we had 35 participants and 4 riding groups; A, B1, B2 and C (who had a great times combining shorter rides with train, boat trips and site-seeing). The cycleways in Holland are unbelievably good, safe, well signposted with neither traffic nor hills!
We enjoyed a good meal on the ferry in both directions; the restaurant was both pleasant and clean – as were the cabins.
The hotel was basic but clean with very pleasant staff. The rooms contained two single beds and a pair of bunk beds. Some people shared, others had a room to themselves. The hotel was great value for money; staying half board helped keep down the cost of the trip.
Detailed prices for 2021 are (in Euros) €340 pp single occupancy; €310 pp double occupancy and €245 for 3/4 persons – for 5 nights including food!
The ferry cost yet unknown but are likely to be in the region of £200 return which includes cabin, excellent evening meal and breakfast.
Members who were not booked for 2020, but who are interested in joining the proposed 2021 trip, should contact Heather or Chris.
Bookings plus a deposit of £100 need to be made to Heather by 27th September 2020, they are refundable by the hotel up until March 2021.
Finances and Insurance
The club are prepared to make the bookings on behalf of members so that we can benefit from the ‘group discounts’. Deposits are classed by the hotel as ‘returnable’. The club do not underwrite or guarantee the financial performance of the hotel or ferry, nor are they acting as their agent. Participants will be asked to confirm their acceptance of this statement. StayOK Terms and Conditions Stena Line Terms and Conditions
Members are invited to join the trip on the basis that they arrange their own travel/health insurance prior to the trip. The club can take no responsibility for the welfare of individual members, nor for their safe return to the UK in the case of accident or sickness. Members should monitor the Brexit negotiations to establish if any reciprocal health agreements are likely to be in place after the turn of the year.
Cycling UK (CTC) – Proposed Change to Subscriptions
You will be interested to note
Cycling UK (ctc) propose abolishing the ‘Senior Discount’ membership (£30.50pa) which will leave most members having to pay the full fee of (£48pa). This is an increase of 57%!!
Most Meridian members are over 65 and use Cycling UK Senior Discount membership to obtain 3rd party insurance.
3rd Party insurance is prerequisite to being a Meridian member.
The proposal will be voted on at the Cycling UK AGM which will take place on Friday 4th September; members are encouraged to vote on this proposal; this can be done in one of two ways
Returning the voting papers which were included with the Aug/Sept edition of Cycle magazine (mine arrived last Friday). These must be received by 9am on Tuesday 1st
It’s probably too late to do this now,But try to locate these papers – it makes voting easier.
Lost your voting papers? You should be able to obtain your ‘Security Code’ by following this link https://secure.cesvotes.com/V3-0-0/contact/forgotcodes.aspx?JMSJobno=m0568_1
Unfortunately for me this didn’t work – I got the code by emailing TakePart@civica.co.uk with my name and membership number.
You can also contact them at dontknowcode@cesvotes.com or 020 8889 9203
Voting
It is not up to me to advise you how to vote.
Motion 4 is the relevant resolution; you can vote either to support or reject the increase.
Alternatives to Cycling UK
There are other options to obtain 3rd party insurance other than using Cycling UK. I will address these at a later date.
This section covers how ‘Ride with GPS’ (RWGPS) can be used to
Plot a route and determine both the length of the ride and the total descent.
Store the route in ‘your’ library of rides stored within RWGPS.
Down load a file that can be used with your Garmin SatNav.
Obtain a ‘link’ that be added to either the ‘Runs List’ or ‘Runs Library’ on the club web site.
Why Ride With GPS?
There are many other programs that are functionally similar to RWGPS, these include
Strava
Garmin Connect
Map My Ride
It is unreasonable to cover all these programs, so I a have chosen RWGPS – it works well and seems to be the most widely used within the club.
Creating an Account.
To work within RWGPS, it is best to create a (free) account – ‘Basic’ and ‘Premium’ accounts are available for a fee, but this is not necessary. A free account will enable you to login, create routes and store them within your own RWGPS account.
Routes and Activities.
A ‘Route’ is a ride which you have created/planned with a view to riding it and/or loading it onto your Garmin.
An ‘Activity’ is a ride that you have already ridden, recorded it on your Garmin, and stored it within RWGPS.
One way to create and store a Route is to take a stored Activity and convert it into a Route!
Creating Route.
The most likely starting point is to create yourself a Route within RWGPS. A good introduction into how to do this is shown in this video. (the video is a bit long in tooth, for example to start creating a Route go to ‘Route Planner’ and not ‘Plan’.
Whilst creating a Route it will display both the distance and ascent. When finished you can store the Route for later use.
Printing a Route.
This cannot easily be done as it is a ‘paid for’ feature. It can be overcome by
Paying to upgrade your account!
Downloading the route to your Garmin, thus eliminating the need for a printed map.
Creating a GPX file and loading it into a suitable mapping app on your phone such as ViewRanger.
Hitting ‘Print Screen’ on your keyboard; this puts a copy of the map in your clipboard. This can then be copied into Paint (or similar) and then printed.
Transferring the Route onto your Garmin (using a GPX file)
If you are already logged in to your RWGPS account
Display your Route (or a Route that has previously been added to the club website by another member)
Click on ‘Export GPX File’ as shown below.
Select ‘Download gpx file’
If you are Not logged in to your RWGPS account
Click on the route displayed on the Runs List
Click on the ‘3 Dots’ as shown below
Then click the following
‘More Export Options’ —> ‘GPS Track (.gpx) —> Download .gpx file.
You will then find the GPX file in your download folder.
Plug in your Garmin to a USB port on your computer.
Using ‘File Explorer’, copy the GPX file into ‘New Files’ which you will find under the ‘Garmin’ sub-directory on you Garmin.
Before unplugging the Garmin it is good practice to ‘Remove / Eject Device’
The Route will then be found under ‘courses’ on the Garmin.
Creating a Link to Upload to the Club Web Site.
It is now possible to display your routes on the club web site yourself, without having to email it to another member who has special privileges.
To do this you first need to create a link to the route that has been stored in your RWGPS account. To obtain the link proceed as follows.
Display your Route within RWGPS.
Click on Share as shown in the above illustration.
Click on ‘Copy Link’
The link to will then be stored in your clipboard.
Go to ‘Runs Library’ or ‘Add Route to Existing Ride’ in the menu, fill in the form and Paste the link into the form in the appropriate place.
Your ride will then be displayed on the website for the benefit of other members. Don’t be disappointed if it isn’t immediately displayed – it can take 5 or 10 mins to become registered.
Need More Help?
Contact Paul Godfrey, Barry Barlow or Ken Dean who will be happy to help.
We will holding our 2019 AGM at 14.00 hours on Wednesday 27 November at The Olympic, Swanley. Rides start and finish at The Olympic and a sandwich buffet will be available prior to the AGM at a cost of £6 per person payable on the day.
Copies of the papers are available on the website (see Club Docs / Documentation); please print out any papers you wish to bring, as hard copies will not be available at the AGM. If you have a motion for consideration or are interested in standing for a position on the Committee, please return completed forms to me by Wednesday 13 November.
Update: Reservations and Payment Deadline 13th November
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The club Christmas Lunch is to be held at High Elms golf club following the ride on the 18th December.
The (subsidised) cost for members is £20 for a three course meal with coffee.
Guests are welcome when the cost will be £25.
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!
All rides start from and return to High Elms Golf Club on the 18th 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.
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.
