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@MTB-Idle
we have tried two options to get from Epsom to Dover (150km & 2,000 metres of climbing)
leave at 04:00 for the 10 am ferry. one mate blew four spokes on his rear wheel and we had to stop at a bike shop in Kent who were very good and fixed it but it took about an hours careful riding to nurse him to the shop and then an hour to fix it which meant we missed the 10 am ferry and had to get on the midday ferry instead. Very stressful
leave at 23:00 the night before and ride overnight to Dover for the 08:00 ferry. Much better in terms of timing and we made the ferry easily but you miss a night's sleep and it gets very cold in deepest Kent (near Tunbridge Wells) circa 3 a.m.
Dover hill is a real pig. you get to Folkstone and think you are pretty much there but then have to climb up a really tough climb on a fast A-road when you are at your lowest ebb. We haven't found a decent way of avoiding it yet