Sun Aug 31st - LFGSS London to Canterbury ride

Right, seeing as it’s now August I thought I’d officially announce the LFGSS London to Canterbury ride. When I originally posted the ‘testing the water’ thread a couple of months back there was a reasonable response so I’ve decided to go for it. If it ends up being me on my own I don’t care, I know just how nice riding through Kent is. It means I get away from the missus for a few hours too :0)

After careful consideration, the date I’m going for is Sunday August 31st. I know it’s the day after the Pedalo TT, but there’s nothing better than getting out of bed early with a hangover and riding round the Kent countryside.

As we’re heading south-east out of this country’s capital city I suggest the meeting point to be the south entrance to Greenwich Park (Blackheath Gate??). And like Jonny’s ride to Oxford, an early start would be best, so (like Oxford) we’ll go for 10am, leaving plenty of time for the feeder rides.

It’s 105k or 65 miles depending on which way you’re inclined. There will be 11 miles (18k) of London’s finest roads until we hit the countryside. I’ve already reccied the second half of the route, it’s full of ups and downs, but there’s nothing along the route that resembles Ditchling so don’t panic. The worst stretch is a 5 mile section at around the halfway mark, but as we will be swinging past my house (300yds off the route) just before everyone will be fed and refreshed for the climb :0)

When I reccied the route I attempted to find a decent pub to stop at afterwards, but seeing as it was 10am on a Sunday morning it was quite hard. I can thoroughly recommend the caramel latte with whipped cream from Café Nero though!

For those who love looking at maps and profiles, here’s the route.

[ame]http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/191030[/ame][ame="http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/178342"][/ame

For the return leg there are two mainline stations (Canterbury East and West) so there's plenty of opportunities to catch a train back.

All in favour say ‘I’, or just shoot me down in flames.

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1. Sam

2. MA3K

Looks good.

sorry, being a pedant.

sounds like a good ride.

1. Sam
   
2. gabes
   
3. MA3K
   

if you do it the sunday before, im definitely in, rain or shine. not allowed to go out and play from that w/end onwards :( wouldve been good. never been to canterbury

oh, do you want to do a roadie one following the TdF (203km '07 stage1) route the weekend before this? just an idea

Nice one Sam. But are you sure you are going to want 20+ sweaty, lycra clad men in your house? Or is that just another weekend for you?

1. Sam
   
2. gabes
   
3. MA3K
   
4. Lebowski
   

Des, I can't make the weekend before, and the one before that is the Polo Championships. Know the route well though, I trained for the Sportive on those very roads. Could maybe fit it in another time?

As for the lycra clad men in my house, I think that happens while I'm at work, Lebowski...

oh, do you want to do a roadie one following the TdF (203km '07 stage1) route the weekend before this? just an idea

I did it on the morning of the race when the roads were closed, but I don't think it would be a nice route with traffic. Have you done it on normal roads before? If you say its good, I'm game. Could also wear that nice green limited edition jersey I still haven't sold...

I did it on the morning of the race when the roads were closed, but I don't think it would be a nice route with traffic. Have you done it on normal roads before? If you say its good, I'm game. Could also wear that nice green limited edition jersey I still haven't sold...

yeh, heard the route took on a couple of busy roads. dunno the area nor the route so would need some guidance or one of them fancy global positioning thingamajigs. might have to find a way around the busier roads

The worst section is the road between Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. If you didn't mind missing out one of the TdF climbs (Cote de Southborough!) that Millar went over first in the breakaway group I could tell you whereabouts to go. It would shave about 5 miles off the route.

1. Sam
   
2. gabes
   
3. MA3K
   
4. Lebowski
   
5. Object
   

1. Sam
   
2. gabes
   
3. MA3K
   
4. Lebowski
   
5. Object
   
6. Jonny
   

Would be great, but can't make it...

I've added it to the calendar. Might be good to do this instead of Burgess Hill Rumble (and cheaper).

I did the London-Canterbury Tour stage in sportive form and I don't remember any issues with traffic. Was it a closed route then? I don't even remember.

I'll put myself down as a tentative. I've lost the will to ride at the moment so no promises.

There and back is possible too.

Yeah, there was a bit in the Tonbridge/Tun Wells areas (basically either side of the Cote Du Southborough), plus a fuck off big coach blocked the road at the top of the climb in Goudhurst. You were probably asleep in the car going home by this point....

hehe you're too kind :)

(yes, I am taking that as a compliment rather than a reflection of your mechanical skill :P)

do it fixed, hippy you benny.

I'll be at the Burgess Hill thing, trying to work out where I put my hill-climbing button...

Looks a good Sportive BMMF, didn't know it was on. How fast do you think you'll do the 33k in? ;0)

Kidds Hill. Is that the wanker just before the half way point of the Hell of Ashdown?

do it fixed, hippy you benny.

Where did I mention gears, Jennifer?

I've done 300k fixed now bitch, I laugh in the face of Canterbury and back! ha ha

ha

1. Sam
   
2. gabes
   
3. MA3K
   
4. Lebowski
   
5. Object
   
6. Jonny
   
7. hillbilly
   

Count me in - assuming no white van encounters before the start
[URL="http://www.londonfgss.com/member1647.html"][/URL]

    1. Sam

1. gabes
   
2. MA3K
   
3. Lebowski
   
4. Object
   
5. Jonny
   
6. hillbilly
   
7. dancing james
   

1. Sam
   
2. gabes
   
3. MA3K
   
4. Lebowski
   
5. Object
   
6. Jonny
   
7. hillbilly
   
8. dancing james
   
9. pajamas
   
   

Don't see any slow people on this list which is a worry, maybe ambitious for me - not sure i can do 65miles fixed yet but that's all I've got these days. I'll see about building up on london's roads betwixt now and then. Holler!

1. Sam
   
2. gabes
   
3. MA3K
   
4. Lebowski
   
5. Object
   
6. Jonny
   
7. hillbilly
   
8. dancing james
   
9. pajamas
   
10. Shoot (if i'm around i'm there)