Resuming the NCN 2 was straight forward and the flat ride through Romney Marsh was on quiet lanes. New Romney was once one of the Cinque Ports but was replaced by Rye when storms rendered Romney inoperable- we seem to have visited all five now.
A good cycle track protected us from heavy traffic on the only road cutting off the Dungeness peninsula and all we had to worry about was the distant sound of gunfire from the MOD firing range.
The sea defences on the road to Camber are having a major overhaul and will protect the great British resort of Pontins!
Leaving Kent, we arrived in Rye and our route brought us strategically to the amazing chocolate shop called Knoops. They sell an array of heart stopping hot and cold drinks laced with cream, icecream and made from up to 99% chocolate. We were joined by a group of young Belgian cyclists on route to Brighton, the chocolate even impressed them so it must be good.
A long climb up Fairlight hill - about 170m to get over to Hastings was very unpleasant as the only road was narrow, busy and with no cycle lane. I hope they can sort something out using the nearby countryside .
The National Cycle Network routes always seem to bring us through the best part of town, our arrival in Hastings was no exception and we decended through the old town to the old Net Shops along the sea front.
These tall wooded sheds maximised the available space for storage of fishing gear and although dating back to the Victorian era, Hastings still boasts the largest beach launching fishing fleet in the UK.
The rest of Hastings seafront has surrendered to crazy golf, amusements and not very nice pubs but the museum had a Lowry exhibition, and historic buildings such as St Mary-in-the-Castle have been renovated and developed as an arts and community centre
Figures:
Distance:- 54.2 km
Cycle Time:- 4 hours 6 minutes
Average speed:- 13.2 kph
Total Distance:- 5188 km
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