Canary Wharf to Sittingbourne to SouthWest London

[Sketchley]

Hi,

I need to go see my brother this Friday night in Sittingbourne for his birthday. I need to get to Sittingbourne before 6.30pm on Friday so was thinking train from Stratford then cycling back to southwest London (Wimbledon Area) on Saturday morning. I'm also thinking about leaving work early and cycling down from Canary wharf. Anyone able to suggest a route for either leg and how long it will take to do?

Anyone care to join me?

Chris

 

[dellzeqq]

damn! If it were not for a certain birthday party I'd come with you.

you could do the standard FNRttC Whitstable route, or,

........for the sake of simplicity go through the foot tunnel (if it's open) go south through Greenwich, up General Wolfe Road, turn left on to Watling Street and follow that through Bexleyheath (you're forced to make a left in to the one way system, follow it round and then turn left back on to Watling Street by the ugly supermarket with the tower), Crayford (follow signs saying A226 out of Crayford), Dartford (again, left in to the one-way system, past the station and then left on to the A226, dodgy manhole cover by the turn) Gravesend (follow signs saying A226 out of Gravesend) Rochester, and then follow signs to Chatham and then go through the High Street (watching out for pedestrians) and straight, straight, straight until you rejoin Watling Street at Chatham Hill. Then it's a straight run.

But.........it's not going to be a pleasant ride. That part of the world is rammed with cars, and Friday late afternoon coming away from London is going to be a bit of a grind

 

[Sketchley]

How long do you think that route would take? 4 hours?

 

[User10571]

It's about 35 miles Greenwich to Sittingbourne - 4 hours should be plenty

 

[Sketchley]

Like this then? http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/70300690

 

[Sketchley]

Any suggestion for the route back to Southwest London? Not keen to go back same way I ride in the country would be nice....

 

[User10571]

Like this then? http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/70300690

That's pretty much as DZ described it above.
Also, as he said, it won't be the loveliest of rides....

 

[Sketchley]

You might be right there. I'm thinking maybe the train down from Stratford then a big ride on Saturday morning back to SW London through the countryside. I might let the weather decide.....

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

This route might give you some ideas for a return variation - the bit this side of Rochester, via Cuxton, was very enjoyable. http://www.bikemap.net/route/803911

 

[ianrauk]

I have done the Sittingbourne to home route a few times.
Basically steam down the A2 to Rochester. Then cross country to Orpington (it's pretty flat). You can then take the A21 and A232 all the way to Merton.

Here you go

 

[Sketchley]

This route might give you some ideas for a return variation - the bit this side of Rochester, via Cuxton, was very enjoyable. http://www.bikemap.net/route/803911

Thanks, looks interesting, but I was thinking more of heading across to Maidstone then following the a20 and a25 through to Dorking, then box hill then home..... Not sure about the A25 though....

 

[ianrauk]

Thanks, looks interesting, but I was thinking more of heading across to Maidstone then following the a20 and a25 through to Dorking, then box hill then home..... Not sure about the A25 though....

That's a very hiily route...

 

[Sketchley]

I need to get used to some hills with the A68 coming up on LonJog!

I do like your route though, will probably do that. Thanks!

 

[ianrauk]

I need to get used to some hills with the A68 coming up on LonJog!

I do like your route though, will probably do that. Thanks!

You go past my house in Orpington (37half mile mark) so feel free to drop in for a cuppa

 

[martint235]

Thanks, looks interesting, but I was thinking more of heading across to Maidstone then following the a20 and a25 through to Dorking, then box hill then home..... Not sure about the A25 though....

I've cycled up the A20 from Ashford to London and it's kind of like the route out described by DZ: direct but not a lot of fun. There is quite a bit of room on it though, I didn't have any problems with traffic until I was within the M25. The A25 on the other hand isn't as busy but has some narrow bits on it that can be interesting when it is busy. I haven't really cycled much on it west of Oxted though so it may get better.