London to Whitstable Route

Hello,
I tried cycling from London to Whitstable today, only to be stopped by the police around 25km into the ride after I crossed the Blackwall Tunnel. Thankfully, they understood that it was an unintended error and did not impose any fine. I was under the impression that cycling is permitted on A roads. I had plotted my route map using ridewithgps.

I've now found some routes made by other users on the website but I'm not sure if these routes have any issues with cycling (road condition, cycling permitted etc). If anyone here has cycled from London to Whitstable, kindly give me the link to your ride so that I can load your gpx file in my garmin. I'm planning to do the ride again on Friday. I'm using a road bike, so I would prefer no/little off roading.

I've found this route on ridewithGPS-

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/25070972

Try this

https://www.strava.com/routes/3031859

Slightly longer return option

https://www.strava.com/routes/3032044

ma3k has some decent routes check his thread of rides

I was just replying>

I was under the impression that cycling is permitted on A roads.

Unless a BIG SIGN says it isn't (as is the case in the Blackwall Tunnel and other stretches of A roads).

I too have ridden by mistake through there but was able to get away. Also lead 11 riders over the Dartford Crossing (motorway), that was a laugh.

This was the annual route I lead on here for six years. It is similar to your first link but cuts off the main road at Green Street Green, goes up an over Ilstead Rise and down a few hundred meters of (23c doable) farm track. I just think this is more pleasant.

Also you can ride the bike path across the M2 motorway at Rochester. The riding surface, and view are better than the next bridge along.

This is YAL's route, following the Pilgrim's Way - https://www.lfgss.com/events/1746/

I've done it plenty of times now... really nice route, one notable climb (Hollinbourne) otherwise mostly on quiet rolling lanes.

Bookmarked, thanks!

Just a dredge to say I did this route yesterday, had a lovely time. Once we escaped past Dartford, the difference is night and day, some great scenery, interesting routes, and managed it all on 23c tyres.

Recommend.

:)

All of those look so much nicer—albeit slightly longer—than the more direct Watling Street route I took the other week.

Whitstable is one of my favourite destinations and I always head for The Lobster Shack for fresh oysters once I'm there.

Here are two routes I use albeit from Surrey rather than London but they are tried and tested bangers. Train back from Whitstable via East Croydon, Clapham Junction and London Victoria:

Pilgrim's Way - follow in the footsteps of Chaucer and his pilgrims. A beautiful route, quiet country lanes and rolling terrain. some video highlights from February 18 to give you an idea of the route - Summertime Boy

Classic route - despite being longer than above and with more climbing this is actually a faster route but still has its share of beautiful country lanes

I also have a route to Whitstable and back which is circa 200k+ but I'm struggling to find it ATM. Takes you through the shite part of north kent though.