Kent II - The Otford Elephant

Selfishly Kenty as I missed out on the last off week excursion. Taking in the delights of Star, Ide and Bailey's hills followed by some lumps back to Otford.

Otford is the traditional meet point but if we're eschewing trains it may be easier/nicer to meet at West Wickham and take in some Featherbed/Beddlestead/Pilgrims on the way out? We'll come back through Otford on the way back anyway if anyone wants to get a train back into town. Open to suggestions either way.

O.G. Route with Otford start/finish is here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4350291

The List:
1.) cagimaha

obvs in

The List:
1.) cagimaha
2.) amey

wait, west wickham or otford?

The List:
1.) cagimaha
2.) amey
3.) TTM

obvs in

Fixed?

Bit nervous for the 50km ride out, but will give it a go. However, a 7pm start (otford) might be a bit ambitious for me.
The List:
1.) cagimaha
2.) amey
3.) TTM
4.) Ruserius

ha! nope, I can do West Wickham 7pm start, doubt I can make it to Otford by 7

Star, Ide and Bailey's hills

Gulp

Phew, I have a whiskey tasting (the new IKEA) on Thursday.

As you were.

I have now looked where these places are, so +1 for west wickham 7pm start

This route is perfect for fixed though!

OK 7pm at West Wickham seems a consensus.

Meet by Annie O'Hair at 7pm.

7pm at West Wickham seems a consensus.

Is the plan to ride out to the route linked above and then back after?

That’ll end up being 85/90 miles?

Ignore me, I’ve mapped it and with a more direct route back it’s a shade over 70 miles door to door.

@mashton @TTM Those three are not too bad, when I used to organise the Kent Invicta Grimpeur I used to route check it on 65" fixed, I used to get up all the hills except Yorks and One Tree Hill. Mind you that was fifteen years and three stone ago, couldn't do it now :)

couldn't do it now

I doubt that.

I’ll be spinning 67” again this week which is perfect for climbing, but anything fast and flat is comedy. We did Knatts Valley last week and I averaged 120rpm for 8 minutes. My lack of souplesse very much on show.

I detest Star Hill. The positive second derivative is a fucker.

I detest all hills, to be fair.

Yep, we don't need to go into Otford then double back on ourselves so that'll clip a couple of miles. Works out 70 door to door for me too. We'll still come back through Otford so anyone who wants to jump on a Thameslink back to town can do so no problem, I imagine they'll be pretty deserted by then.

Whiskey ride to Hammersmith sounds funnnnn,🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃

Star, Ide and Bailey's hills

Gulp

PurpleMJ would throw in a little detour up Exedown as well.

That's a good addition to the route! I assume you're coming this week?

I'm in for this, but if I'm not at WW for 7pm just head off anyway and I'll pitch up in the feed zone at the top of Star Hill instead..

The List:
1.) cagimaha
2.) amey
3.) TTM
4.) Ruserius
5.) Rod_Munch

Short notice I know but I Got out of work earlier than I thought, Is there a max of six in a group, if not I will see you at we for 7pm