This weekend saw the inaugural Sven Cider Ride and camp at Breedy Farm near Burton Bradstock. The farm is also home to Talbot Harris Cider Company, no coincidence! What more did touring bike aficionados from near and far need to congregate at this informal weekend gathering!
Pitching of tents was due to start from midday onwards. Half a dozen party goers were onsite and set up when I arrived 3 hours into the afternoon. Sven, the man, was not present; it was thought/hoped he’d gone off to find the cider.
Meanwhile, the OS map was out to plan an afternoon ride. Just a gentle 2 mile pedal to The Hive Beach Cafe was agreed, no map required. Riders on a variety of cycles departed and before I did the same, and still with no sign of Darron, I approached his Merc Estate to close the open door and tailgate. Turned out he was having 40 winks in the load space, unbeknown to the others. If only I had known and got a shot of him before waking him with a door closing! He mentioned text messages from other cycling campers travelling by train, significantly delayed. Subsequent reports of a trespasser near Woking.
It was all poised to come together nicely when the Hive Cafe goers returned, the delayed train travellers finally completing their journey, Darron awake and refreshed and all ready for some serious cider drinkin.