Every year, members of the Pilgrims Boat Club embark on a cycle from Putney to King's. Ben Loxton-Edwards (MR 1990-95) reports on this year's cycle. 

Pilgrims assembled on Sunday 26th April 2026 beneath a sky of such obliging brilliance that one felt it had been specially laid on - ideal, in short, for the 6th Pilgrims Sportive or, had one been so inclined, a record-shattering marathon. We were delighted to welcome debutant Mathew Brown (MR 1990-95), a fellow of many parts: accomplished trumpeter, King’s Scholar, and oarsman at Somerville, Oxford. A man, clearly, who does not confine himself to a single string on the bow.

Wheeling south through the suburbs, we passed Dulwich College - that modern nursery of excellence - we are quite sure they nod in quiet approval at our little procession.

We made Chevening by 09:45, where we were joined by Tom Martin (GL 1992–1997), whose presence, as a keen bicycle restorer and mechanic, lent the proceedings a comforting air of mechanical solvency. It is always wise, when embarking upon feats of pedal-driven heroism, to have at least one chap who knows which end of the spanner to brandish.

In response to the Spring Newsletter, provisions had been secured in the form of Garibaldi biscuits - known in certain enlightened circles as ‘Biscuits Fruit’ - alongside doughnuts, Florentines, cherries, and plums. These were attacked with commendable vigour. Spirits, as you may readily imagine, soared to a positively operatic pitch.

The quintet settled into a pleasing rhythm over the 60 kilometres to Westwell, the miles slipping by with that agreeable lack of fuss one associates with well-oiled companionship. Yet as the road unwound, it became increasingly evident that youth, that irrepressible scamp, would have its innings. Alex Lapsley (GL 2015-20), our youngest blade, proved the strongest of the lot. He divides his time between gainful employment in Cambridge and the noble endeavour of coaching the third boats at Gonville & Caius - an arrangement that seems to agree with him immensely.

We rolled into Westwell at 13:15 to join the ever-hospitable Charlie (MR 1991-96) & Saskia (LX 1991-96) Leigh-Pemberton, whose establishment once again proved a sanctuary for the weary yet deserving. Reinforcements had by this stage materialised in the estimable persons of Mark (MT 1989-94) and Sophie Gaskain. Energies were briskly restored with lemon drizzle, flapjacks, and sausage rolls - fare of a sort to make a man believe in the essential goodness of the world.

As Canterbury loomed, it dawned upon Duncan Petrie (GL 1990-95) that he stood on the cusp of completing his fifth Pilgrims Sportive - a statistic to warm any enthusiast’s heart. This stalwart rouleur, seizing the moment with admirable dash, led the charge down the A28 and through the city wall with all the authority of a man who has done this sort of thing before and fully intends to do it again.

We arrived at King’s shortly after 15:00 and gathered, as tradition dictates, at the memorial cross. There we found my mother, Rosemarie - always a most reassuring development - who ceremoniously presented us with Snickers bars from what can only be described as the Golden Chocolatidor. One does not question such things; one simply accepts them with gratitude and a certain reverence.

We tendered our heartfelt thanks to my nephew, Barnaby. That most dependable of charioteers and a tower of strength in the tea department.

All in all, it was a day of athletic endeavour, excellent company, and a frankly heroic quantity of sticky treats. A triumph in every way!

The Pilgrims Boat Club is the The King's School Cantebury's boat club for former pupils. You can learn more about their activities and contact the Chairman (Ben Loxton-Edwards) here.