The really, really long night ride to the coast - 9th August

[Flying Dodo]

I've always had fond memories of the traditional FNRttC Whitstable route which involved the delights of Croom's Hill at Greenwich, Shooters Hill, the urban misery of Welling, and the cycle path over the A249 to drop down into Sittingbourne amongst others.

Seeing as I haven't run any rides into Kent for a while, I've put together a "best of" route to Dover, which incorporates the above, along with the tank museum in Chatham, a stunning ridge top ride along the top of the Downs, and then a 10 mile continuous stretch of road where you don't have to think about whether or not you need to turn left or right, with a lovely swoop downhill and there's only 1 crossroads to worry about, before passing an historic WWII airfield and popping out above the cliff tops between Folkestone and Dover. Depending upon time/hunger pressures, we can make a detour to the Battle of Britain Memorial site, before the long, fast descent into Dover.

As it's just over 90 miles, I'm running this as a night ride, so leaving HPC at midnight on Friday 9th August, stopping off at the 24 hour Asda in Sittingbourne after 48 miles for a break, and then breakfast in the middle of Dover. The approximate route is shown here.

You can cycle back, although trains are available.

 

[CharlieB]

Probably in a p155ed state from the effects of cidre, calvados and vin rouge, a probable oui for me, please A.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Pencil me in please. I really hope I can make it but it depends on other stuff. I'll keep you posted when I get news ... good or bad.

You can cycle back, although trains are available.

Speaking personally, I very much doubt that ...

 

[User10571]

I'm interested.
Provided that work has abated a little by that point.

 

[rb58]

I have a holiday to be booked around that time. So long as there's no clash of dates, I'll be along too. Will confirm asap.

 

[Dogtrousers]

News is good. Can move from pencil to crayon. Not quite ready for ink yet, I may still be called on to be tootling up and down the A1 doing taxi driver service, but hopefully not.

I've just followed the track on an OS map. I note that in the last third of the ride there are a lot of those wiggly line things ... what are they called? Contours? I wonder what they mean.

 

[Davywalnuts]

Ahhhh, I would love this ride... but I will be on a Stag do that weekend where by I will be loosing my soul... Looks fab however.

 

[Fnaar]

There's a chance I'll be in the area, with my tourer and panniers... would love to do the ride, so will keep tabs on the thread, and let you know nearer the time.

 

[Flying Dodo]

I've just followed the track on an OS map. I note that in the last third of the ride there are a lot of those wiggly line things ... what are they called? Contours? I wonder what they mean.

Hills may go up as well as down. Previous past flat performance is no guarantee of the future.

 

[StuAff]

In, hopefully. Capel Le Ferne's challenging but straightforward enough. The memorial is well worth a visit.

 

[Dogtrousers]

In, hopefully. Capel Le Ferne's challenging but straightforward enough. The memorial is well worth a visit.

Which memorial are you referring to? Is it at the top of a hill?

 

[Flying Dodo]

Which memorial are you referring to? Is it at the top of a hill?

It's after all of the hills. Top of the cliffs, in fact!

 

[Dogtrousers]

Interesting. I may also visit the Bleriot memorial in Dover, while I'm there.

If I get there, that is. Tempting fate and all that - I'm still only crayon status to go.

 

[robjh]

Don't yet know what I'll be doing around the 9th August but it sounds like another good ride - I'm certainly a possible for this one. Will let you know nearer the time.

 

[PaulRide]

I've posted a provisional yes somewhere about this ride, but not here. That weekend is clear, so I expect to be joining you for this.