2020-07-17 - Camber Sands - Night Ride - Short Notice

Camber Sands overnight Friday for a morning on a real(sandy) beach.

Via part of the Pilgrims Way 135KMs. 25c tires (possibly could be a section of gravel, I have never tried this route).

Anybody want to join me?

Route.

Should say, 'Fixed', I don't have any geared bikes.

Is "Fixed" a stipulation? I don't have any fixed bikes
Otherwise into this. How fast?

There’s quite a few sections of gravel on the Pilgrims Trail, and some of the sections are probably a bit too tough for 25c. It depends how precious you are about your tyres.

You can avoid them if you switch to the A20 for the longer sections, but might require a bit too much re-routing.

Can you take a look at the route and tell me what you think?
I thought I had avoided most of the gravel.

-Edit forgot to say please.

Route

Ride would start Friday night for a morning on the beach.

Trains back from:
Rye (more money, 1 change)
Or
Hastings (another 20km with a steep hill at the end, drastically cheaper tickets, no changes)

What I am seeing from space and streetmaps is most of the sections of the Pilgrims Way on my route look like old roads, I think I've steered around the most scetchy singletrack. What do you reckon?

Route drops off PW way before Ashford to head to coast.

I'd up for that, I think.

Yeah, of course. Will look this evening on my laptop.

Wouldn't mind the gravel either.

Can’t see exactly whether this is on your route, but @amey will vouch for the classy gravel section A229 - Boxley.

You could detour going South past the M20.

Thanks!

classy gravel

Is fine, I am advising 25C tires.

:D

a steep hill at the end,

Battery Hill is a proper hill, not too steep but goes on and on! Nice and quick down into town on the other side though. 10 years ago I would have recommended the Mermaid cafe for breakfast but I don't know if even still exists...

Battery is a mere 12% at its steepest, in 4 ramps, the last being the easiest. You can avoid it by climbing Chick Hill into Pett, which is much shorter but somewhat 25% with two bonus climbs to follow. However, you would be able to see my house.

If anyone wants to come I guess that conversation can be had on the beach.

Could be no more tourism/hills and straight back on the train from Rye via Ashford.

I think you've avoided the worst bits of the Pilgrims Way, it tends to get rougher after Lenham, where you head south.

There's one bit that might be tricky, from the A229 to Boxley. That's mainly okay, but there was one section where I remember being very glad I was on a cross bike. There's a simple road alternative via Grange Lane and Boxley Road, although it adds a mile or two to the distance.

Going to be hilarious at night too.
I think I'd lead to there and let peeps take a look before diverting.

That section is about 2km.

Thanks!

90% of the climbing is in the first half. This is sounding better all the time.

For the few people thinking to come it may be simpler to meet at my place for northsiders and Greenwich tunnel south for anybody else. Not sure yet.

Probably want to start around 20:00 Friday, collecting southsiders around 20:45 at the tunnel.

Will confirm all that info Friday morning.