London to Paris - help required

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JackE

Über Member
Location
Hertfordshire
We used the NCR 21 from Deptford High St to near New Addington (after which it goes on a huge detour via Gatwick Airport/Crawley).
Then we plotted our own route on quiet-ish roads via Oxted, Lingfield, Crawley Down, Turners Hill, Ardingly, Ditchling (turn left at bottom of the Beacon and follow the road via Plumpton to Lewes). There are probably quieter routes slightly to the East of this one but we wanted to combine some of the London to Brighton route (which we knew) and some country lanes.
 
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dodd82

dodd82

Well-Known Member
We used the NCR 21 from Deptford High St to near New Addington (after which it goes on a huge detour via Gatwick Airport/Crawley).
Then we plotted our own route on quiet-ish roads via Oxted, Lingfield, Crawley Down, Turners Hill, Ardingly, Ditchling (turn left at bottom of the Beacon and follow the road via Plumpton to Lewes). There are probably quieter routes slightly to the East of this one but we wanted to combine some of the London to Brighton route (which we knew) and some country lanes.

Thanks Jack, that's really helpful.

Do you know the distance of the route you took?
 
I would point out that there is now a signed NCN21/NCN20/ Avenue Verte route from London to Paris, it runs via Newhaven Ferry. whilst some of the route on the UK side runs on off road tracks these are easily bypassed on tarmac cycle paths.

The Picture of the A23 through Horley is easily Bypassed as the NCN21 runs along a new road running parallel to the A23,( though the Signpost last time I rode it still pointed up the Great Lake Bridle way) later through Horley the NCN 21 uses a cycle path around a lake then around the the south Terminals of Gatwick Airport.
In Crawley the route is well signed posted, but can be a little confusing, as it is in the neighbourhood of Furnace green the NCN21 Joins the NCN20 which then goes off road through Tilgate forest to Pease pottage, in bad weather you need to head out of the town along South gate Avenue to link up with the cycle path NCN 20 Bad weather route to Pease pottage
Here is the Routes website.
http://www.avenuevertelondonparis.co.uk/
 
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dodd82

dodd82

Well-Known Member
Here is the Routes website. [URL said:

Thanks a lot - that's really useful.

Do you know if the distance of the cycle increases dramatically with this route? And is it much slower?

I'm by no means a fast cyclist, but given the ground we need to cover, I would rather not keep stopping for various hazards!

Thanks
 
For what you need, I would stick to the NCN 21 out of London to Crawley, then take the NCN 20 as far as Hand cross, then take the NCN 20 to Staplefield leave the NCN20 at Staplefield and follow the B2114 to Slough Green then just after the Bend turn Right into Deaks lane (Narrow Country Tarmac lane) and head for Ansty, then B2036 to Burgess Hill, the if you check out the Map there many narrow country roads you could use to get to Lewes, and then down to Newhaven. which in my mind is a direct route. However you could come out of London Via Caterham then head to East Grindstead then to Lewes, in places that route get a tad Lumpy
 

Ergle

Über Member
Parts of the route 21 between Warlingham and Bletchingley are ok for horses and walkers, but not cycles. The bit that goes past Gatwick isn't nice.
I would go from Warlingham up the B269 to Titsey Hill, then Westerham and wiggle South from there.
 

JackE

Über Member
Location
Hertfordshire
Sorry for delay with reply. Our route from Tower Bridge to Newhaven was 70 miles. Make sure in Lewes that you take the Rodmell road to Newhaven. On our first trip we got onto the A26 by mistake....it was a disaster.
 
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dodd82

dodd82

Well-Known Member
Hi guys - I am trying to find an NCR21 map but can't find anything apart from a stretch of East Sussex.

Any ideas where I can get this map from?

Thanks!
 
Sustans sell a cycling map of Sussex and Surrey which covers the NCN 21 southwards from New Addington, for the London part get the free cycling maps from TFL. the map covers many other Routes within its coverage area.
 
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dodd82

dodd82

Well-Known Member
Thanks.

I actually found some good web sites eventually yesterday. I'm concerned that the NCN21 is too complicated to be an enjoyable ride.

Avoiding major roads is one thing, but turning off into side roads every 2 minutes will make the journey more complex than it needs to be in my opinion!

I'm also having real problems trying to find a route that avoids ridiculously steep hills. Don't get me wrong, I know we'll have some hard peddling to do, but some of the hills look very difficult indeed, on narrow country lanes!
 
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