Charity Bike Ride date:
Monday
7th May 2012
Ride details
There is a choice of three rides. All three rides start and finish from Stansted Village Hall, Malthouse Road, Stansted, Kent TN15 7PH
“The Cloisters Cruise” 13 miles - click here to download a map of the Cloisters Cruise
The Cruise is planned for any rider on any kind of bike and is especially suitable for families. You will enjoy quiet lanes through Hartley Bottom, Longfield and Nurstead before a short stretch through Meopham where a splendid lunch will be waiting for you. You return through Ridley and Hodsoll Street with a pleasant run down Haven Hill and then on to the finish..
“The Cloisters Classic” 23 miles - click here to download a map of the Cloisters Classic
The Classic requires some training if you don’t normally ride a bike. Start by riding north through Longfield Hill and Nurstead with views across the Thames Estuary. After riding through the Dickensian village of Cobham you will enjoy a curving descent before taking a long but not too demanding climb back past Luddesdown to the lunch stop at Meopham. Afterwards, cycle along valleys folded along the top of the North Downs through Harvel. This section includes what we believe to be the steepest (although very short) hill in Kent. Achievement badges will be awarded to anyone who manages to cycle up it! Then you will have an easy ride through Vigo, Fairseat and a marvellous descent down Stansted Hill back to the start.
“The Cloisters Challenge” 44 miles - click here for a map of the Cloisters Challenge
The Challenge is aimed at more experienced riders and features longer ascents. You will descend at Exedown and then follow the Pilgrim’s Way through half-timbered Ightham, Comp, historic Offham with its quintain post, and then an interesting climb of the North Downs from the Medway Gap. After a splendid lunch at Meopham we have discovered a route of more leafy ancient lanes and quiet villages through North Kent with views of the Thames Estuary and London. To anyone who is not used to riding in the North Downs, please note that this route is considered hilly by those more used to flatter terrain! See graph below to check how hilly it is. This is an excellent training ride for longer rides a bit later in the summer.
NB. not to scale
All Rides
Full back up is provided on all rides with free parking, marshals, sweepers, technical assistance and first aid. A Ploughman’s lunch is included. There are also refreshment points at appropriate stages during your ride. A breakfast snack / coffee / tea are available to purchase before your ride (subject to availability). Afternoon tea and cakes are provided free of charge at the finish. Please see Frequently Asked Questions for more details.
Location
All the rides start and finish at Stansted Village Hall and Recreation Ground, Malthouse Road, Stansted, Kent TN15 7PH. (Click here to view it on a map). This is five minutes from junction 2 on the M20 and junction 2 on the M26. Car parking is available at your own risk. The nearest railway stations are Borough Green and Meopham, both offering services from London.
Start Times
Signing in opens 9.45 a.m.
The Challenge 10.00 – 11.00 a.m.
The Classic 10.30 – 11.15 a.m.
The Cruise 11.00 – 11.30 a.m.
See How to Enter
If you enter the Challenge (44 miles) and do not ride often, we advise that you start soon after 10.00 a.m. so that you enjoy your day.
For more information email: info@cloistersbikeride.org | Cloisters Bike Ride, Daisy Cottage, Fairseat, Sevenoaks,TN15 7LU
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