Help with a route Dartford to Lewisham or Grove Park

[roboraver]

Hi All

Not sure if I have bitten off more then I can chew but he who dares and all that ! not having ridden for years decided to get ride of public transport (southeastern) and just got a Hybrid, helmet, lights, SJ4000 and other bits and bobs (hi vis, rainproof, co2 canisters, locks) but am finding it really hard to find a non-suicidal route from Dartford in Kent to either Lewisham or Grove Park.

Have looked at Google Maps, Cyclestreet and a host of other apps that I can use on my android phone (Have not invested in a Garmin as can't afford ATM having spent ££££ on the previously mentioned).

Is there anyone that uses a route similar ? would prefer not having to ride next to VERY fast cars on the A2 / A20 as I only have 2 paris of spare skiddies !

 

[Beebo]

Not easy as their are so many variables on a route like that, trial end error is your best bet, especially now as the schools are off, so the roads are a bit quieter.
Have you tried the A207 through welling or the A210 through bexley and eltham?

 

[MARKE020272]

As Beebo says, you can take the A207 through Welling, then take Welling Way down to Rochester Way. Once you are past the roundabout, take Westhorne Ave into Lewisham. If you prefer a quieter route to start, go past Danson park (via Danson Park and Lakeside close) and there is a cycle path that runs parallel with the A2 that takes you up to Falconwood train station and you can join Rochester way from there. I take the A207 through Welling but then over Shooters Hill into the City.

 

[roboraver]

Thanks for the reply's beebo and marke20272, it's very confusing as both google maps and cycleroute suggested similar routes but they both seem to suggest the south circular after leaving the A2 via Eltham or tackling the big hill via shooters hill !, suppose the only way to tell is to try it :-(

 

[rb58]

Try this. It's the route I use from Bexley to the City. Only place to worry about is the roundabout at the bottom of Eltham Hill, but there's a cycle path if the roundabout is too daunting. http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5479978

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Agreed on the bike path, it's not too bad and starting out you're not going to be caning it anyway.

There are some bike paths out of Dartford, although also quite a few hills unfortunately the bike paths tend to be on the Thamesmead side and the hills the Crayford one.

Aside from the inclines, the road out through Crayford up in to Bexley isn't terrible although the bit in to Crayford and round the one way system could be nicer. Once out the other side it's wide and Bexley is pretty bike friendly. Heading towards Shooters Hill has cycle paths, out through Welling. Turn before AyeGees used to be and you avoid Shooters Hill, which you'll be thankful for starting out. Again a wide road no cycle path. Continue in to the Coronet roundabout and through to the end of Rochester Way, again, cycle lanes just watch for left hooks on the side streets. At the end turn down through Kidbrooke and right after the narrows will cut you across to the Lewisham Rd. Haven't ridden that bit, but I think there's a bus lane along it.

Caveat, it's a while since I was new to commuting around this area, my 'it's alright traffic' threshold may not be yours.

 

[roboraver]

Thank you all for the great advice and help ! I will be using my SJ4000 to record it so will post up some links after uploading !!