Another in the Landrace series of 'Monster' day rides, this adventure takes us from London to Folkestone. We'll explore the wild and lonely shores of the Thames Estuary before a fast run along the gravel of Pilgrims Way, finishing with a ride through Kent’s North Downs, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
We'll meet at Cyclefit’s Store Street shop and ride down to Embankment Pier catching an Uber Boat to Greenwich. There will be plenty of time on board to grab a coffee and croissant and watch the city glide by. Saddling up by the Cutty Sark, we'll ride past Wren’s magnificent Old Royal Naval College to join the Thames Path east, diverting onto Bazalgette’s grandly named interceptor sewer to Crossness - it's way better than it sounds!
Heading east, the path becomes more desolate and wonderful, winding around creeks, under the Dartford Crossing, and past the ruins of London’s Victoria defences. At Ebbsfleet, we’ll turn inland and ride through a series of country parks, cross the Medway Bridge with views of Rochester, and follow the base of the North Downs ridge onto Pilgrims Way.
We'll stop for a brief lunch at a pub in Detling before continuing down Pilgrims Way, crossing the River Stour at Wye, and riding across the North Downs towards Folkestone. Expect to arrive in Folkestone early evening for a quick fish and chips, before catching the train back to London.
The route combines decent gravel paths, byways, and bridleways. It’s pan flat at the start, ramping up, becoming quite lumpy towards Folkestone.
We will be riding at pace, so you should be a strong rider, comfortable riding 2 to 3 hours at a stretch, with off-road experience. The ride is unsupported, so it’s important that your bike is in good working condition, fitted with suitable tyres, and that you bring inner tubes that fit, a multitool, and patches.
I’m looking forward to this one, it’s a varied ride with some decent long uninterrupted stretches of gravel
