M25 route

It seems like this idea has legs. I would like to suggest the following criteria when plotting/selecting the route (and it looks like there are already a number of sources of potential routes).

1. Must be, wherever possible, as close to the M25 as is possible (within sight/earshot) with the following exceptions: Roads must be passable at a reasonable speed (i.e. no farm tracks!) and no prolonged riding on obviously cycle unfriendly roads (e.g. busy 70mph triple carriageways - apart from short sections of link between other roads).
   
   

What the hell is a triple carriageway? ;)

Yes, it's more fun on roads where you don't have to knuckle down and just make speed.

1. Inside or out is not really too important to me - as long as criterion 1 is met.
   
   

Agreed, I don't think that's very important. The best route should win.

1. Whilst I can see the elegance of crossing at Tilbury I think the bridge is such an iconic part of the route that it should form a key part of it. Starting and finishing in the shadow of the bridge and actually crossing the river at a point not generally asscociated with cycling adds an extra dimension for me. I'd like to be part of a peleton rocking up at Dartford and demanding free passage across.
   
   

If there are many people on the ride (not that I think that this is likely given the overall distance), Dartford would definitely be a problem, as they are simply not prepared for large numbers of cyclists--it's only a couple at a time. This could be an intriguing aspect of the route planning--we should contact them beforehand and get clear information. Perhaps it would end up naturally as riders arriving in dribs and drabs, but I wouldn't count on it. With large numbers, they could be busy for hours and should definitely be forewarned. From what I've heard, they've always been responsive, though.

I think a suitable and iconic start point and end point to the ride is crucial, i.e. somewhere you can leave bikes lying around without fear of them getting stolen and get a few post-ride pints in.

A Dartford start would be quite hard to get to, especially for West London-based people, but even for me in North-east London, it would be something like at least 230km all round including to and from home.

I wonder if a ride like this can become a classic challenge, like L2B (which of course isn't that demanding to a good rider). It has that vital ingredient of a really striking concept.