Bit of a trek, but once south of Croydon some lovely countryside. Mostly following National Cycle Routes 21 and 20. More off-road cycle track sections than I had expected, adding interest as well as bumpiness to the route. Finishes with a rather boring, but blessedly flat, stretch of cycle path alongside the A23 into Brighton.

Ride stats

76 miles (further than it should be due to a few ‘D-detours’)

Mostly fairly easy going

Mix of quiet roads, cycle tracks and occasional main roads

Approx. 7 hours 30 minutes ride time

9 hours 45 minutes start to finish (including lunch and other
miscellaneous stops)

Average speed 10.3 miles per hour

Saturday 6 June 2009

More detail and a map of the route at GarminConnect

Route chosen in part to explore National Cycle Route 21 as preparation for a longer ride from The Rye to Rye later in the year, but also as training for the Dunwich Dynamo. Picked up National Cycle Route 21 in Catford, lost it going through Croydon and then picked it up again at The White Bear, Warlingham, where I stopped for lunch. Got a bit confused again when first joining the cycle path alongide the A23. My meandering becomes clear when the GarminConnect map is viewed in Player mode. Reason I appear to have given up just outside Brighton is that my Garmin Edge 205 battery ran out. Would definitely do again, this time giving myself enough time to see the sea before catching the train home.

Refreshments

Lunch at The White Bear, Warlingham


References

Downs & Weald Cycle Route: the official route map & guide to the 159 mile cycle route from London to Eastbourne and Hastings, Sustrans
OS Landranger Map 177 East London
OS Landranger Map 187 Dorking & Reigate
OS Landranger Map 198 Brighton & The Downs