Marden to West Malling Circular

** Rescheduled to 17th APRIL **

Join us for a short spring ride across the river Medway to West Malling and back to get those legs spinning again after the winter!

From Marden we head towards Yalding, crossing over the famous medieval bridge. It is the longest surviving medieval bridge in Kent and was the site of a battle between the Roundheads and Cavaliers during the Civil War in 1643.

We then 'climb' over the Greensands Ridge,  before we drop down to a second medieval bridge at Teston to cross the River Medway.

Believe it or not, we then have to pass The North Pole! But before that puts you off it is just a road and public house - no idea why it is called this or which came first, a google search wasn't any help!

Next we cycle beside orchards and arrive in the small town of West Malling. We can stop here at a cafe for a cuppa and a snack.

We will then descend into Mereworth, cross Seven Mile Lane and continue through to West Peckham, and onto Hadlow.

As we approach Hadlow, the folly tower in the centre of the village will easily be seen. A Grade 1 listed folly and the tallest of its kind in the United Kingdom. It was constructed in the mid 19th Century and once formed part of a grand castle in the Romantic Gothic style, built by Walter Barton May. More info here: https://www.thehadlowtower.co.uk/history.html

After Hadlow we cross beside more Kent farmland to East Peckham, Laddingford and back into Marden.

Participation Statement

You MUST complete the Participation Statement at https://outdoorlads.events/CyclingParticipation in addition to booking your event space before attending a cycling event.

COVID-19 – IMPORTANT, Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
• You must also immediately self-isolate and not attend the event if you or someone in your household or support bubble shows coronavirus symptoms or tests positive. You can find the NHS self-isolation guidance here.
• The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature, a new continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of taste and/or smell.
• You may be subject to local lockdown restrictions, which you must fully comply with. Details of the location of these restrictions can be found here for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.   
• We do not encourage car sharing to events during the pandemic. Please comply with the safety travel guidance for England, Wales, and Scotland. Face coverings should be worn on public transport.
• OutdoorLads will support the tracing systems in place across the UK  and attendance at an OutdoorLads event is considered permission to use contact details for this purpose if requested by the appropriate authority.  
• All are required to practice social distancing – staying 2m (not 1m) apart at all times, including the lunch stop. Remember: Face, Hands, Space.
• Unfortunately, there won’t be any planned pub / café stops en route or at the end, and please don’t share sweets or snacks with others – we’re sorry!
• Please bring your own hand sanitising gel for your own use throughout the day. Use of face coverings is at your own choice, but please bring one with you just in case it's needed. Please bring any other PPE items required. Bring a disposable bag for any used PPE.
• Members are advised to bring their own small first aid kit for personal use..
• Be aware that opportunities for toilet stops may be minimal if facilities are closed.
• Please, please cancel at your earliest opportunity if you are unable to attend or are unwell, so that we can allow others to take up these valuable event spaces.
• Much as it's difficult - no handshakes or hugs!

COVID-19: Events Participation Statement

OutdoorLads draws your attention to the fact that travelling and being away from home increases the risk of receiving and transmitting Coronavirus, whilst it is present in the UK. You are likely to choose not to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst there is a risk of Coronavirus transmission. However, should you choose to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst the risk is present, you must be aware of and follow the law and government guidelines, both when travelling to and from events as well as when participating in events.

Please note that every person participating should be aware of (and accept) that those members perceived as ‘in charge’ or leading the event are not experts,  do not need to be experts, and are not regarded by OutdoorLads, or themselves as experts, but are amateurs with some experience in the event type and who are happy to impart their knowledge.  Any advice given should be considered with this in mind by the recipient.

By signing up to and attending an OutdoorLads event, you are confirming that you have read, understood and accept the content of this statement.

Please see our website for more information including an FAQ about our events.

OutdoorLads Events Calendars
You can now go directly to our events calendar pages by bookmarking the follow links:

• http://outdoorlads.events/SouthEastCycling for our South East Cycling calendar
• http://outdoorlads.events/Cycling for our national Cycling calendar
• http://outdoorlads.events/SouthEast for all events in the South East

New Event Notifications
If you'd like to hear about similar events in future then you can subscribe to our Social Media & Instant Messenger channels by clicking the links below:

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Strava

For the more competitive riders we also have our Outdoor Lads Strava group here.