Cycling routes around Surrey/Kent

[StephanieG]

During the week I do my training on the turbo which is great when the weather is bad but not so great when its getting warmer and staying lighter for longer outside

Does anyone know of any cycling routes going out towards Surrey or Kent? (Preferably ones that have already been tried and tested and are about 20-30 miles min.)

Steph

[Andrew G]

Yes loads of them. I've posted a few in the Routes section so have a shufty there. If I get the chance I'll put some others up there but if I don't before I go away then I'll do it when I get back. If you fail to notice any new ones in there over the next couple of days give me a shove in a couple of weeks as it probably means I've forgotten.

Where do you want them to start from, is GBs suitable or would you arrive in the Surrey / Kent lanes from say Crystal Palace in which case I can start them from Elmers End / Coney Hall / West Wickham?

If you can print the routes I've put in up already then do so as you'll find that a few of the roads on the various routes cross over so you can easily mix and mingle them.

[huw williams]

Steph

Also try and post a few days in advance WHEN you're looking to ride - there might well be people in the club looking for similar rides midweek now that it's lighter in the evenings and there's plenty of members with knowledge of the local roads who might be up for joining you.

I'm always surprised that in a club with so many members there are few rides other than training groups that go out midweek during the summer. Hopefully you can start a trend

[Andrew G]

As a quick link...

The ride I did on new Year's Eve:
It starts from GBs and finishes at The White Bear pub where we had lunch and was 35 miles to there. From there just go down Featherbed Lane to head back to Croydon, or go right at the end of Featherbed Lane and after a steep climb up Spout Hill after Addington Village you'll be heading towards Elmers End/Crystal Palace. There's only one tough hill on the route which is Slines Oak (by Woldingham on the map) but you can stay on the main B road to skip this.
[url]http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2458722[/url]

Longer and hilly:
45 miles Croydon to Croydon and has some nasty hills if you want a challenge. Anyone could do it though but you just need to pace yourself if not used to this type of ride. Toys and Star hills are very nasty so make sure you have enough food and drinks with you although you can stop after Toys in Westerham for a cafe stop and recover if needed, again Slines Oak can be avoided in the same way as above if required. An alternative way back from Westerham is to go through the village and turn right on to Croydon Road (B2024) and follow that up the very nice 3 step climb of Botley which will being you back to the main road along the ridge and take you back to Warlingham. On a clear day the view from the middle step of Botley is superb.
[url]http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2397316[/url]

Easier but nice routes are:
Tatsfield loop - 25 miles starting and finishing at GBs running anti-clockwise. Also very good ride reversed but a little bit harder.
[url]http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1746316[/url]
Polhill loop - 45-50 miles, start and finish GBs running anti-clockwise.
Reversed would have the tough climb up Titsey at the end. Easily modified for a shorter more direct route back.
[url]http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1746371[/url]
Both the above can be easily modified to cut corners or add a little bit extra. Can both be linked up easily as they cross over to give a longer ride or something in between.

There are tons of very nice lanes and villages in this area, although a lot of hills too. Best bet is to tuck a map in your pocket when you go as you can easily link the routes or cut/add bits to them and you won't go far wrong on a lot of the lanes for nice riding.

[StephanieG]

[quote="Andrew G"]Yes loads of them. I've posted a few in the Routes section so have a shufty there. If I get the chance I'll put some others up there but if I don't before I go away then I'll do it when I get back. If you fail to notice any new ones in there over the next couple of days give me a shove in a couple of weeks as it probably means I've forgotten.

Where do you want them to start from, is GBs suitable or would you arrive in the Surrey / Kent lanes from say Crystal Palace in which case I can start them from Elmers End / Coney Hall / West Wickham?

If you can print the routes I've put in up already then do so as you'll find that a few of the roads on the various routes cross over so you can easily mix and mingle them.

[Dombo]

A route that I like heads out to Box Hill, either via Little Switzerland or along Chipstead Valley/Outwood Lane and the Dorking Road.
Then drop down to Burford Bridge Hotel, under the subway towards Westhumble, hang a left up towards Ranmore (nice climb). Past Denbies then left at the top and swoop down into Dorking. Around the one way system and up to Leith Hill/Coldharbour then up and down various bits, Holmbury Hill etc, Combe, White Down, come back via Box Hill and back along Dorking Road to Kingswood, Chipstead, Coulsdon, Croydon.
It's about 40 miles but you can tag more onto it as you like.

Like Andrew I just ride out, no map, recognise various bits as I come to them and if I get lost eventually I'll find something I recognise. I've done a lot of mtb-ing round there so it's nice to see where those wide tarmacky things go for a change.

A24, A25 or A3 box you in quite nicely and are good reference points if you over-egg it.

I'm around Easter week so may go out then.