26th Feb London to Whitstable

[dellzeqq]

Start opposite Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich at 8.30 (the Gardens have ground glass on them). Moving average about 16mph. Brief stop in Rochester. About 64 miles, some minor roads via Woolwich, Belvedere, Dartford, Gravesend, Higham, Strood, Rochester, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Faversham.

Return by train from Whitstable.

 

[DJ]

I could possibly be tempted!

Sorry I am a bit tired, what would the ETA be? and then what time back to London?

 

[dellzeqq]

yhpm

ETA a bit after 1.30. Back in London about 4.

 

[benborp]

Would it be possible to just turn up and go or do you want an absolute commitment to ride before hand?

 

[Aperitif]

On the train back it would be nice to use one's Oyster card...I can't come but would have liked to visit that sector of the land. Have a good trip!

 

[Auntie Helen]

On the train back it would be nice to use one's Oyster card...

The puns/allusions are getting worse, Aperitif!

 

[Aperitif]

Squid pro quo...

 

[Auntie Helen]

I'm floundering for a suitable riposte...

 

[Aperitif]

fin

 

[DJ]

Boo Hoo, couldn't go after all, had a very bad night's sleep, just wasn't up to it!!

Hope you had a good time Simon.

 

[dellzeqq]

we did indeed - rush hour traffic for the first six miles or so, then on to User10571's route through Erith, and, save for three or four sets of roadworks (I really do think Bonj should be sorting that out) it was plain sailing. A delicious bacon and egg sandwich at Andy's Cafe in Rochester put a spring in our pedalling, and we drifted in to Whitstable about ten past one, not, in truth, having exerted ourselves overmuch. Coffee overlooking the sea, and then the train home....most satisfactory.

 

[dellzeqq]

we took a bit of a scenic diversion to Upper Upnor

http://www.frindsburyextra-pc.gov.uk/images/upnor10_000.jpg
http://www.frindsburyextra-pc.gov.uk/pictures 037.jpg
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/11_02/UpnorhouseDM1611_580x800.jpg

and User10571 took us up a 1 in 6 path in Strood, followed by a 1 in 5 descent, this ride is now more epicurean (well, you know what I mean) than epic. We fall to admiring seasonal changes, or remarking upon the pollarding of a row of poplars. The cycling is the means by which we remove ourselves from the everyday and on to a more elevated physical plane. There's not much by way of struggle. It's all smoothed out.