Tonbridge - Evening run - 28th September

[Ben Lowden]

I'm going to put together a route for a little gentle run out after work on Tuesday 28th September, meeting somewhere in the Tonbridge area after work.

Can be flexible on when people can make it but I would have thought we'll want to meet by 18:30 latest to get a little jaunt in before it's dark, I'm thinking 1-2 hours tops to include driving and a stop off somewhere for a beverage.

Route TBD but if you're interested, add your name to the list and time you could meet from

1. Ben Lowden – Megane 275 Cup-S (meet from 18:00 onwards)
2. BenW – M2 Competition (meet from 18:15)

Edited by Ben Lowden on Monday 13th September 16:27

[Ben Lowden]

chappj said:

I’m unfortunately now attending a funeral on that day.

Any chance of changing to other day? No worries if not, I’ll join the next one.

Sorry to hear that chappj. I can't really do another day that week but we can always organise something again in October before the clocks change.

BigMoose1973 said:

Hi Ben,

Are we allowed classics ? Mk1 Golf GTI ?

BigMoose

Absolutely, would be great to have you join us!

[Ben Lowden]

I'm not planning on anything too narrow so put your name down and I'll send you the route beforehand so you can double check you're happy.

[Ben Lowden]

MiloD said:

pending a. Work and b. the Mrs happily doing bedtime

It's all about the trade – you put them down to bed this night and you can do whatever you like the next

I can't believe how quickly the nights are drawing in now, hoping we'll have just enough daylight to get a few photos!

I have a rough route planned in my head – I'll set up a Google Maps route this week that I can share with everyone via PM along with our meeting point so please make sure you've got PM enabled on your account.

[Ben Lowden]

Red Devil said:

C is the relevant one. The sun is below the horizon but there should be (weather permitting) enough natural light for photos.

Very helpful thanks! We should be at the photo spot by 7pm, so just in time.

I've just planned what I thought was a little route, turns out it'll take about an hour to set off from Tonbridge and finish at the Poacher and Partridge, so should be all done by 7:30 for a quick lemonade. Any objections to that?

[Ben Lowden]

Liamst said:

Sounds good to me.

Also might be bringing 1 other with me in a GR yaris if thats ok.

Yes of course! We should have an M4 joining us as well, so will be around 10/11 cars.

XJR9LM said:

Sounds good Ben, I may be a little late so not sure if you are happy to DM me the location of the photo stop and if so will meet you there and go onto the pub with you all afterwards. Cheers!

No problem at all, I'll PM everyone with the meeting location and route details over the weekend.

[Ben Lowden]

That was lucky! I'm just about to PM everyone now with the meeting point and route however I'm not feeling hopeful that I'll be able to get fuel tomorrow to actually be able to join. So we may end up needing to postpone to the following week, but lets see how we all get on.

Edit: Ignore where I've said 'route for tomorrow', meant Tuesday! If people can update with their fuel situation, that would be helpful. I'm going to try and get some around lunchtime tomorrow.

@Bluefocus, you're not accepting PMs so please drop me a message so I can send you the details.

Edited by Ben Lowden on Sunday 26th September 20:33

[Ben Lowden]

I'm wondering if it's worth postponing to Wednesday – weather looks pretty rubbish now tomorrow afternoon/evening and Wednesday looks clear, plus it gives people more time to get fuel.

I would suggest we just push back to next week but the daylight is drawing in so fast, it will be dark next week.

Everyone happy with pushing to Wednesday this week?

[Ben Lowden]

Based on a couple of messages I've received, it looks like tomorrow is still the consensus so lets stick with it. I can't be bothered to go and queue for fuel today so lets see what tomorrow brings – nothing like cutting it fine

[Ben Lowden]

I haven't been able to get fuel but will be there tonight with other Ben in his M2 Comp as a passenger. Will be great to meet those that can make it but please prioritise fuel for work if you need to, there will be more drives in the future! Otherwise see you later and we'll aim to leave by 18:35.

[Ben Lowden]

Just sent you the meeting point and route

[Ben Lowden]

No worries to those that couldn't make it, rather testing conditions! Was great to meet everyone that came. Sods law that it'll be gloriously sunny all day today. It was pretty dark by the time we got to the photo spot (and was still drizzling) but a few very grainy photos from me.







And this is what it looks like when I normally head out early in the morning, honest



Next time it's raining like that we'll just go straight to the pub! Kicking off a November Sunday morning run here for anyone that wants to sign up https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Ben Lowden on Wednesday 29th September 09:04

[Ben Lowden]

BlueFocus said:

Were you driving "off road" ??

Just parked in the passing places temporarily for the photos

Liamst said:

Big thanks to Ben for organising and was great to meet everyone.
Considering how dark it was at the Photo spot those pictures have come out a lot better than expected!
Shame about the weather, but in some ways it was more fun, and reminds you how capable these cars are even in poor conditions, and the pace was still pretty good.

Cant believe how often i drive roads that criss-cross the route but have never been on half of them!
Anyone have Instagram?

You're welcome! I enjoyed my first proper M2 experience in Ben's Comp, even if it was rather damp.

Yep my handle on Instagram is @ben_lowden, how about you?

[Ben Lowden]

No problem at all!