Cycle route from Dartford?

[Slick]

At pretty short notice, it looks like I will be in the premier inn Dartford. (Can't wait) I've done it before a while back and fully intended to try and do a bit of sightseeing from a hired bike, but the locals put me right off with reports of all the incidents and accidents. I'm determined to make the most of it this time round and I wondered if anyone could recommend a route or even where best to hire a bike.

Premier Inn Dartford, The Bridge Business Park, Halcrow Ave, Dartford DA1 5FX

 

[vickster]

Try cycle-route.com E.g http://www.cycle-route.com/routes/30_Mile_Dartford_Circular_-Cycle-Route-8834.html

You could hire a bike in central London if nowhere locally and take it back by train (or ride it back). Try the local LBS round there but I'd be surprised if any rent bikes out. Can you not take one with you?

Personally I'd get on a train to London and do some sightseeing on a Boris Bike. Dartford and its immediate environs aren't especially scenic. Although there is countryside into Kent

Or you could go to the nearby cyclopark http://www.cyclopark.com/enterprise/road-circuit
http://www.cyclopark.com/enterprise/bike-hire

 

[Sharky]

How long are you down for and how far do you want to cycle?
One of my circuits is Longfield, Farningham, Eynsford, taking road towards Otford, turning left along the Pilgrim's Way, towards Wrotham, then turning left up "Terry's Lodge Road" towards West Kingsdown and back to Longfield. Lots of variations off this circuit, and keeps you off the main roads, but some surprising hills around.

From the Premier you can go out via Longfield or Sutton AT Hone.

Funny you should mention accidents - came off on black ice three weeks ago and still on crutches!
Cheers Keith

PS - don't know where you can hire a bike down here.

 

[Effyb4]

I have cycled from dartford to Erith and then along the riverside cycle path to the dome and back. The first part wasn't very pleasant but the route along the river is lovely albeit full of pedestrians

 

[Slick]

I'm working in Erith, but wasn't sure it was possible to cycle to and from work. I think I'm only down for the week, but this could easily grow. I'm not a fan of spending hours at a time in a car so plan to fly down and hire a car at the airport. I've never looked into it, but assume that it would just be a total pain to try and take a bike with me.

 

[Markymark]

Rainham marshes is lovely and close but the wrong side of the river and hard to get across without a car.

 

[Slick]

Rainham marshes is lovely and close but the wrong side of the river and hard to get across without a car.

I'll probably have a hired car, usually quite a decent estate, so may be able to throw a bike in the back.

 

[vickster]

I'll probably have a hired car, usually quite a decent estate, so may be able to throw a bike in the back.

Pay for the bike to go in the hold, pack it up, check it in, pick it up, stick in boot of car

 

[Slick]

Pay for the bike to go in the hold, pack it up, check it in, pick it up, stick in boot of car

Never even considered doing that. I may look in to that.

Thanks Vickster.

 

[Sharky]

If you are flying into Gatwick and planning to drive round the m25, it could take a long time in rush hour. Driving down from yorkshire 4 hours? M25 could take 2hrs?

 

[vickster]

If you are flying into Gatwick and planning to drive round the m25, it could take a long time in rush hour. Driving down from yorkshire 4 hours? M25 could take 2hrs?

I think the OP is in Glasgow not Yorkshire, other side and up a bit

 

[Slick]

If you are flying into Gatwick and planning to drive round the m25, it could take a long time in rush hour. Driving down from yorkshire 4 hours? M25 could take 2hrs?

Yeah, flying down from Glasgow probably Sunday night.

 

[Milkfloat]

You could try spinlister.com, cyclister or any of the other airbnb for bikes companies that link up private owners with people wanting to rent a bike.

 

[Sharky]

If you are down here during daylight hours, the 50km course that the CC Bexley use for their reliability trials is a good one, taking you into the Kent country side.
http://www.ccbexley.com/reliability-trial/

There is a good café stop at Ightam Mote (National Trust) and worth a visit, but you don't need to be a member to use the café.

 

[Slick]

If you are down here during daylight hours, the 50km course that the CC Bexley use for their reliability trials is a good one, taking you into the Kent country side.
http://www.ccbexley.com/reliability-trial/

There is a good café stop at Ightam Mote (National Trust) and worth a visit, but you don't need to be a member to use the café.

Yeah, that looks good. I was going to say I could move my hotel to Bexleyheath, but I think I'm closer to that from Dartford. Thanks for the tip.