The 5th annual Pilgrims Sportive took place on Sunday 27th April 2025. The ride sees members of the Pilgrims Boat Club (the Boat Club for OKS and friends of the School) take on a bike ride from Putney all the way to King's.

Ben Loxton-Edwards (MR 1990-95) reports on the day:

The 5th annual Pilgrims Sportive, our 125km cycle from Putney to Canterbury, took place on Sunday 27th April 2025. 

We had timed it perfectly, it was the hottest day of the year. London Marathon runners were advised to take it easy, but with perfect conditions, we were set for a fast ride.

It was great to see Ed Thomas (CY 2009-14) back on the start line. He had suffered multiple punctures and had to retire last year.

Alex Lapsley (GL 2015-20) made his debut. He’d put in plenty of mileage over the winter and proved strong the whole way. 

We stopped at Chevening and were joined by Tom Jackson (GL 1989-94) and friends. We enjoyed hearty refreshment: tea, Victoria sponge cake, doughnuts, Florentines & Turkish delight. 

The second stop was in Westwell, at the home of Charlie (MR 1991-96) and Saskia Leigh-Pemberton (LX 1991-96). Our tea party expanded with the addition of Duncan Petrie (GL 1990-95), Alex Neame (SH 1990-95), Jessica Potter (MR 1990-95) and the Dehnel family. We enjoyed fruitcake before the final roll in alongside the river Stour.  

On arrival at King's, the Green Court was abuzz with the Walpole reunion. We were exhausted and thankful to have arrived. My mother, Rosemarie, was there to greet us and deploy her golden tin of Snickers bars. 

It was a wonderful day, our hearts were warmed by the company of old friends & the camaraderie of the road.

Redy to wenden on our pilgrymage 
To Caunterbury with ful devout corage, 
At nyght was come into that hostelrye 
Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye, 
Of sondry folk, by aventure yfalle 
In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle, 
That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde.

The Pilgrims will be getting together again at Henley Royal Regatta, where they share a lunch tent with the School. A limited number of stewards enclosure badges are also available. Please click here for more information.