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platypus
andyp
@youramericanlover
Right this is CW route but works the same CCW. IMO the Cantii Way is for hybrids or gravel bikes with like 30c. This way takes you on some actually nice off road and quieter and more interesting lanes. But ultimately it's still in the spirit of the Cantii Way - a This Is A Way Better Off road Kent route exists but this is not it.
1) Why start in Wye? This starts in Canterbury where there are fast trains from London and gets you north very nicely on some awesome fire roads and then onto the Crab and Winkle.
2) Marshes SE of Whitstable and Herne Bay are beautiful and not to be missed so takes them in.
3) I'm not into Margate / Broadstairs / Ramsgate for cycling. Cool costal path but built up and full of walkers and facilties and towns. This takes you inland via cycle lanes to Sandwich and skips what I think is 6mph hybrid pootling. If you like it great follow NCN15 but if you want Kent Lanes then this is way better.
4) Route is pretty much all the same as Cantii to Hythe - there is lots to see around here but is the South Downs around Dover so the stakes are high so it sticks lanes and NCN2. I think cycleway 17 is better but is 100% lanes and not Hybrid Gravel which NCN 2 is so have kept it.
5) Following the coast road from Hythe to Romeny is maschosist so head inland for wonderful albeit exposed lanes. People are one way or the other about Romeny Marsh - I fucking love it but it's pan flat and exposed so can be v hard work. I'm also a big fan of Lydd, Camber and Rye. If you don't like it then stay north but you'd be wrong to do so.
6) There's a loop around Winchelsea beach - dunno why they did this. It's more exposed Kent coast. Enjoy or or skip (I would enjoy).
7) Big debate - this follows the Royal Military Canal which I hear is nice off road. It is bang straight on the road and misses out other awesome marshland lanes, but in the spirit of Cantii I've kept it. There is the Instachurch near Fairfield and canals and beaten down Weald around here and so I love it and would go elsewhere, but the military canal must be OK and is mad efficient so it's in.
8) More fun mixed surface on the way North but I'll admit some is untested. Might be gates. Definitely some awesome bridleways and singletrack and heathland. Doesn't look like too many gates but this can be hard to judge. Kings Wood is especially lovely, I'd suggest adding extra loops and exploring around there, that whole place is great. Then it takes back on the Great Stour Way (boring but pleasant hybrid bullshit) into Canterbury for a train home.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39571004