To the Tatsfield bus stop – the fast way...

"Something ought to be done about the drug companies. They hold the world to ransom. It's a prime example of what is wrong with capitalism. If anything needs to be brought under government control it's got to be the drug companies – and transportation, the railways. We're all being ripped off," I said as we rode along the 269. It was cold. Four degrees. And cloudy too, but there was no sign of any rain. My phone promised cloud all day, but little chance of a soaking.

I simply couldn't face riding the slow way. "I'd prefer the hill coming out of Westerham to Beddlestead Lane," I said as we reached the first incline. It was a struggle this morning, coming up Church Way, so the thought of that long, steady climb filled me with dread, just the thought of it.

"Do you reckon it's a mile from Botley to the bus stop?"
"Could be, not sure," said Andy.
"It's three miles from the green," I said.

Easter Sunday and not that many cars on the road. But I still opted for the off-road path towards the end of the 269 as it makes conversation easier. I say 'the end of the 269' but what I mean is the end of our bit of the road. The 269 starts down by old Red Deer pub and ends somewhere in Edenbridge. Once day I'd like to ride the entire length of it, but not today; it's too cold and there's plenty of Easter stuff going on.

There was talk of mission statements and business plans when we reached the bus stop. I said no to biscuits, mainly because I've been overdoing it: chocolate, slices of bread, the odd biscuit, well, make that a good half a dozen biscuits, daily, over the past week. A chocolate HobNob, a ginger nut or two and then some M&S white chocolate cookies (smaller than I expected them to be). I was content to drink tea and then fling my tea bag on to the grass in front of me. Andy did the same and while he normally wins, I think my tea bags had the edge today.

The road sign has disappeared. It used to have the words 'Approach Road' written on it, but now it's gone. About a week ago I drove past the bus stop and noticed the sign had been uprooted but was still in place – vertically. Now it had been taken away.

There were some big potholes in the road on the return journey, but swerving late to avoid them was not a good idea. "There's a big one coming up," I said, and sure enough there it was and we both managed to avoid it without drifting into the middle of the road.

It was cold. The temperature was roughly four degrees Centigrade throughout the duration of the ride and it never rose above six degrees during the rest of the day. Or so it seemed.

Me, in the snow, Botley Hill, April 2008...

On Good Friday we rode 22 miles and on Easter Sunday we managed around 16, that's assuming that there is a mile between Botley Hill and the bus stop. A total so far of 38 miles. Not too bad considering we've had three weeks out of the saddle through bad weather.

There are news reports suggesting overnight snow, which could mean no cycling tomorrow, but I simply don't believe it. It's a bit nippy, yes, especially this morning, but I don't envisage there being any snow. Not that there hasn't been snow in April. And you all know that I'm going to bring up 2008 when Andy and I were caught out in it, close to Botley Hill. At first we thought it was fun and made our way towards the bus stop in awe of the increasingly white-out conditions, but by the time we had to head home our giggles turned to grimaces, our faces froze and, well, we were so glad to reach our respective homes. Hopefully we'll get a ride, but I suspect that if the snow don't get us, the rain will.