RR; The Crown

I found out about this ride whilst searching for an extra 0.5AAA to put me
on 8. I was the organiser Pat's first event and also a completely new route.
All credit to him he came up tops on both counts, and 1AAA to boot. I stayed
with Dave K the night before having used the opportunity whilst in Kent to
deprive Gord of some wine and BEER duty in La Belle France. Only about 15
pre-entries at the start in Godmersham near Ashford but about another 15
entered on the line. Being a Grimpeur there were many controls to ensure the
hills were all covered, but they were all very easy, either manned or easy
to remember infos. The first proper control was at the top of a climb out of
the area's many valleys, before re-tracing to Wye. By this time the P*****re
fairy had been very busy; me at 6k, Dave a few k later and about a half
dozen in the first 30k. Thanks Dave for explaining the xp function on my
pump ;-)
Pat manned the first proper control at 34k which was liberally supplied with
squash brioches and bananananas. I must say I prefer rides where it's all
laid on, saves a lot of faffing about in service stations/ caffs and is of
course much cheaper. A few nasties near the Channel Tunnel portal saw us up
high on the cliffs and soon we were on the lovely descent down the old and
deserted A20 to Dover. Once in the town there was only one way out; the
Scenic climb past the castle. And soon we met Simon Bennett on his way back
from St Margaret's bay, the next control. Another excellent stop with rolls
cake and more squash; and then we broke to the Coastguard's Arms for BEER
whilst Dave mended his prolapsed front tube. The climb back up wasn't too
bad and once through Dover again (having seen the biggest FO cruise ship
I've ever seen) we hit some very nice gentle and long ascents back up
towards Elham and the end. But it wasn't over yet; re-tracing much of the
route without really noticing I had left Dave to granny (almost, one left in
reserve) the last killer over the Downs near Wye. Another info and back up
to the top before plummeting back down and taking a R before the town was
rewarded with a commanding view of the ride's raison d'etre; a grrt white
crown set in the hillside (apparently put there by Victorian agriculture
students). Finished in (mumble) hrs where the hall was all but deserted. A
great ride, definitely worth a go next year.