The Way to the Sea Event Details| Audax UK - The Long Distance Cyclists' Association

The Way to the Sea Cutty Sark Gardens, London Andy Yates

200Km

Summary

210Km cycling event starting from Cutty Sark Gardens, London.

Controls at

All Hallows
Sheerness
Snodland
Greenwich
Plus 5 information controls

E-Brevet permitted.

Description

The ride with a little bit of everything: seaside, salt marshes, estuary views, wooded valleys, tree-lined climbs, medieval churches, historic naval sites and more!

The ride has a historical theme, starting next to the Cutty Sark ship in Greenwich, following the Thames estuary out to the Hoo Peninsular, passing by Chatham Dockyards, onto the Isle of Sheppey before returning to finish in the Old Royal Naval college in Greenwich via the slightly lumpy North Downs. The first 135 km are relatively flat after which there's a hilly 55 km section over the North Downs on the return to London.

The route leaves Greenwich via Shooter's Hill and Bexley and the first control is in Meopham (33 km). The ride then descends to the Hoo Peninsula, which is depicted in Dickens' 'Great Expectations' as an area of wetlands and salt marsh. The second control is at All Hallows (64 km). You are then 8 km as the crow flies to the next control, but it's nearly 50 km of cycling back around the Medway. But at least you will get extensive views of the estuary. The ride crosses onto the Isle of Sheppey via the Kingsferry Bridge, passing through the village of Halfway, at around the halfway point, on a short lap around the Isle to Sheerness (110 km), along the seafront at Minster, and a control in Eastchurch (119 km).

After returning back to the mainland the ride then crosses the North Downs to a control in Snodland at 162 km and a couple of info controls. There are a number of sharp hills in this section, the main one being Birling Hill after Snodland. From Eynsford it's a final climb and then a straightforward ride through SE London, before finishing at The Old Brewery in the World Heritage grounds of the Greenwich Naval College for a well-deserved pint.

All profits donated to RNLI.