A long weekend allowed me a short bikepacking trip. To Fairlight Cove not far from Hastings, including a stop for lunch with a friend on the first day seemed like a great plan. It gave me time to reset. Riding and just generally being with others is great. But sometimes I need to be silent. The people around me are a wonderful group. There when I need them, both physically and by text and phone.

I’ve find myself less interested in riding loops. I find it easier to have a destination in mind. Hence this ride. It’s just two days out and back.

As time has past I find myself avoiding crowds, two or three people is fine. But anymore and I start to feel anxious. It quickly gets too noisy. I ride to London most Fridays, stopping for coffee at the Rapha store and cafe near the office. I now try to get there early. When the number of people gets into double figures conversation increases in volume. I leave pretty quickly once this happens. Some sound proofing would help. I’ve thought about going to another cafe but there might not be anywhere to safely store my bike. 

You can take your it in to the shop and use the racks provided.

A google search for cyclist rated cafes highlighted Regents Park as a promising place to visit. I was looking for somewhere to secure the bike; quiet but with other riders. I could then have the best of both worlds; peace and company. I found the Espresso Bar. Just inside the park so I didn’t have to walk to it. Very close by were bike hoops I could have locked the bike onto, but the railings were right next to the seating so I used them while I walked in to buy coffee and carrot cake.

I think I was too early. I sat alone, although another rider did arrive, but he didn’t even acknowledge me and sat away from the cafe on a bench opposite. Very weird.

I don’t want to turn into a hermit; great family and friends mean this isn’t likely. I do sometimes have to push myself to attend gatherings. And when I am alone at the end of each day it can be tough, so I crave company. Returning home it can take a couple days to regain equilibrium. 

I have more trips planned. The biggest obstacle will be accomodation costs, they quickly add up. I could camp but I don’t want to carry a tent and I’d like a bit more comfort at the end of a ride. I have a YHA hostel stay arranged for an adventure later in the year. One problem A problem is when looking at availability for next year; in most cases they are already fully booked. Either the system is broken or people are planning very far in advance. I even looked for 2026; and no availabilty. I searched a few dates. It shows a hostel, but when you check; it’s full. I guess this isn’t a good option after all. I must have been very lucky with my choice this year. It may mean multiple short stay cycling holidays will be unaffordable, which will be a shame.