The Way to the Sea
Cutty Sark Gardens, London
Andy Yates
200 km
Summary
209Km cycling event starting from Cutty Sark Gardens, London.
Controls at
- Start
- Allhallows
- Sheerness
- Snodland
- Greenwich
- Plus 5 information controls
E-Brevet permitted.
This event has a mandatory route.
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 a pub in Greenwich via the slightly lumpy North Downs. The first 135 km are relatively flat after which theres a hilly 55 km section over the North Downs on the return to London.
The route leaves Greenwich via Shooters 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 Allhallows 64 km with refreshments provided in the village hall. You are then 8 km as the crow flies to the next control, but its 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 its a final climb and then a straightforward ride through SE London, before finishing at The Cutty Sark pub on the banks of the Thames for a well-deserved pint.
All profits donated to RNLI.
Read 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 a pub in Greenwich via the slightly lumpy North Downs. The first 135 km are relatively flat after which theres a hilly 55 km section over the North Downs on the return to London.
The route leaves Greenwich via Shooters 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 Allhallows 64 km with refreshments provided in the village hall. You are then 8 km as the crow flies to the next control, but its 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 its a final climb and then a straightforward ride through SE London, before finishing at The Cutty Sark pub on the banks of the Thames for a well-deserved pint.
All profits donated to RNLI.
Event Date and Location
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Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2027 Add Event to my Personal Calendar
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Event Opens:
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Time: 07:30 to finish by 21:00
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Distance: 200 km (209 km) in 13h30
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Starting from: Cutty Sark Gardens, London
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Closing Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2027
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Entries close at: 100 riders
Event Information
Speed:
15-28 km/h
Climb:
1962m
AAA:
0
Category:
BRM[PBP]
Body:
Audax Club Hackney
Audax Points:
2
Event No:
27-485
Facilities
Toilets at Start
GPS files available from organiser
Mudguards not required
Parking at start
Free or reasonably priced refreshments at start &/or finish
Downloads
The organiser may only provide these to event entrants