A lovely day (apart from the wind) saw a record entry for this year’s Rye and Winchelsea Rotary Club’s 9th “Tour de Rye et Romney Marsh” last Sunday September 27, held in conjunction with the Rye and District Wheelers, with 158 riders, old and young, entered for one of the four distances on offer, with more than 100 riders choosing the 100km ride to Hythe, returning via Old Romney and Appledore Heath to Rye.
The head wind made for hard progress up to Hythe but, of course, this became a tail wind for the return – all good and evened out. Several riders opted for the shorter 10 and 25km , taking it easy and spending some time on Camber Sands before returning. The remaining riders chose the 50km route via Lydd, Old Romney, Appledore Heath, and back to Rye.
It was a very successful and well supported event with most riders ready to return next year. The organisation, signposting and marshalling, was every bit as good as in previous years, with some very welcome refreshment stops on the way and from a Wheelers Club perspective it was very pleasing to see so many Wheelers in Club Kit.
A total of £1,600 was raised and will be shared equally between Rye Scouts, Rother First Responders, Sarah Lee Trust and Rye Community Trust. Here’s to next year with Rotary and a few other charity rides organised by the Wheelers including their popular and challenging “Up for Lunch Ride” in early September 2016, which next year will have an even more challenging 150K route. Prepare yourselves.
Reports from Paul Simpson, Secretary of Rye and District Wheelers, and Richard Popple, from Rye and Winchelsea Rotary Club.
Photo: Paul Simpson