I'm not far from Canterbury and the weather is now sunny and hot, after short but intense storm earlier. As per last year, conditions look to be ideal (sunny, high of 26C). But last time only 18 rode from the start. And I would be very surprised if the number was higher this time. I would expect the all time record low turnout at a UK ride (shared by Canterbury 2016 and Hastings 2015 - 20 each, so a couple more must have joined in at the Canterbury event last year) to be broken today.
Facebook numbers don't mean a lot any more. Last year 130+ were 'going' to the Folkestone ride. Around 25 actually did it.
Saying that, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if only 5 people turned up for today's ride. These very small 'satellite' rides really are pointless. They almost all consist pretty much entirely of the same few hardy naturists. And any local publicity is always puerile and childish, which does nothing for the pro-cyclist/clean air/oil dependency angle.
Having said that, I'll be in Canterbury anyway, as per last year, so will wander round by the castle in time for when they set off, just in case a miracle happens
Of course, the one year I didn't bother - 2014 - over 100 rode. Why or how so many more did it that time is anyone's guess. Maybe they heard I wasn't going to be there
