The Imperial Century A Month Challenge Chatzone

[robjh]

I did July's ride yesterday, from home near Cambridge down to Dover via the Tilbury-Gravesend ferry, which made a total of 131 miles.
The stretch north of the Thames is fairly flat, and was getting a bit busy with morning commuter traffic around Brentwood when I passed through. I had an earlyish lunch in Rochester at 11.30, and I then stayed on small lanes through the North Downs all the way down to the coast above Folkestone, including a stretch of the Pilgrims' Way. It was very scenic, down and up hills and through woods with the occasional grand view, but there are faster ways than this and I could have saved a good deal of time by taking them. In the end I started thinking 'oh not another narrow twisting 12% climb with gravel in the centre and potholes down the sides', but still they came. Nonetheless I gave myself plenty of time and it was a great day, warm and with a tailwind.
There is a lot to see in Dover. I had a quick ride round to see some of the views, but I need to come back sometime and see them, especially the castle, properly.

I finished up with two trains home via London. There are plenty of cheap advance tickets from the Kent coast into London if you can book a day or two ahead.

 

[Trickedem]

I did July's ride yesterday, from home near Cambridge down to Dover via the Tilbury-Gravesend ferry, which made a total of 131 miles.
The stretch north of the Thames is fairly flat, and was getting a bit busy with morning commuter traffic around Brentwood when I passed through. I had an earlyish lunch in Rochester at 11.30, and I then stayed on small lanes through the North Downs all the way down to the coast above Folkestone, including a stretch of the Pilgrims' Way. It was very scenic, down and up hills and through woods with the occasional grand view, but there are faster ways than this and I could have saved a good deal of time by taking them. In the end I started thinking 'oh not another narrow twisting 12% climb with gravel in the centre and potholes down the sides', but still they came. Nonetheless I gave myself plenty of time and it was a great day, warm and with a tailwind.
There is a lot to see in Dover. I had a quick ride round to see some of the views, but I need to come back sometime and see them, especially the castle, properly.

I finished up with two trains home via London. There are plenty of cheap advance tickets from the Kent coast into London if you can book a day or two ahead.

View attachment 651733

It does get very hilly near Dover. Nice ride

 

[ianrauk]

It does get very hilly near Dover. Nice ride

Don't we know it

 

[robjh]

It does get very hilly near Dover. Nice ride

I knew I was riding through your manor, especially around the Medway. It was my first visit to Rochester in the daylight, and I saw the submarine at Strood too. Also, hills or no, it was nice to avoid Sittingbourne!

 

[ianrauk]

I knew I was riding through your manor, especially around the Medway. It was my first visit to Rochester in the daylight, and I saw the submarine at Strood too. Also, hills or no, it was nice to avoid Sittingbourne!

Its always a good idea to avoid Sittingbourne Rob

 

[Trickedem]

It does get very hilly near Dover. Nice ride

You did make it harder for yourself by going up Hollingbourne Hill and also up to Dover Castle.

 

[ianrauk]

July's qualifying ride done and dusted
A glorious cycle ride with @rb58 and @Trickedem down to Brighton and back. Almost perfect, apart from the sheer amount of motor traffic and shitty drivers.
So, scores on the doors
122 miles for the day, With a bonus of 7 extra Eddington numbers in the bag. (3 more 115+ to get to that number)
Imperial Century ride month 140 in a row

Gatwick runway approach

 

[13 rider]

Julys done ,longest ride of the year 109 miles . Leicester to Uppingham then up Rockingham hill up to the castle through Kettering and back via the rolling terrain of the Leicestershire , Northamptonshire border total of 5738ft of upness

 

[Trickedem]

July's qualifying ride done and dusted
A glorious cycle ride with @rb58 and @Trickedem down to Brighton and back. Almost perfect, apart from the sheer amount of motor traffic and shitty drivers.
So, scores on the doors
122 miles for the day, With a bonus of 7 extra Eddington numbers in the bag. (3 more 115+ to get to that number)
Imperial Century ride month 140 in a row

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Gatwick runway approach
View attachment 654018

What a cracking ride that was. Didn't really notice the headwind on the way down, but benefitted from a nice tail wind on the return.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Well, despite July having been a pretty disastrous month for me cycling-wise, I'm still in the challenge.

A slow and steady loop on an easy route round the north of Shropshire, bagging 102.1 miles. For anyone interested the ride write up is here: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/your-ride-today.173254/post-6781628

 

[13 rider]

At least you've got plenty of time in the month take as much as is needed to feel right

Glad you took my advice @Rickshaw Phil and literally took all the time possible . Well done

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Glad you took my advice @Rickshaw Phil and literally took all the time possible . Well done

Thanks.

It would have been good to get it done sooner but it felt like July just wasn't my month - Covid you already know about, then I was starting to build the strength for riding back up when this happened:

Stung on the nose by a bee, which was suboptimal. That took a couple of days to go down then I had a mix of commitments and uninviting weather so the end of the month came round pretty quick.

I was just glad to get round with this one and hope that August will be kinder.

 

[gavgav]

Thanks.

It would have been good to get it done sooner but it felt like July just wasn't my month - Covid you already know about, then I was starting to build the strength for riding back up when this happened:
View attachment 655438
Stung on the nose by a bee, which was suboptimal. That took a couple of days to go down then I had a mix of commitments and uninviting weather so the end of the month came round pretty quick.

I was just glad to get round with this one and hope that August will be kinder.

Crikey, you look like you’ve gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Crikey, you look like you’ve gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson!

You can see why I didn't want to be in front of the cameras at Powis Castle.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Stung on the nose by a bee, which was suboptimal.

Wonderfully put

Anyway best for August.

(Smug mode on) I'm on the train home at the moment after completing mine. Write up to follow when I get home.(Smug off)