[nealric]

Like the thread says...

Stops will be Canterbury (night #1), Veurne (Belgium), Night #2, Brugge (Night #3), Brussels (Night #4)

Some specific questions:

Anybody have experience with the national bikeway that heads out of London and goes to Canterbury? Is it suitable for a road bike? (it seems some of those bikeways are crushed gravel). Would it be better to take back roads?

Are there some must ride roads in the flanders region? Perhaps something ridden on le tour?

What is the canal route from Brugge to Brussels like? Is it easy to find?

Shooting for 75-100Mi per day.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MarkS]

Here's a link with some information on riding in Flanders. http://www.rvv.be/en/tourism/routes I did part of the Tour of Flanders cyclosportif in 2006. I would not recommend doing all of the climbs on your ride from Bruges to Brussels, but you may want to work a few of them into the ride.

There are well marked and well maintained bike lanes on most major roads in Flanders. Although the back roads are more fun, if you need to get from Point A to Point B, riding on a major route is pretty easy in Belgium.

 

[M.J.]

which Sustrans route are you taking from London to Canterbury?

FWIW I would be very surprised if your route is crushed gravel - but clearing London on that ride in that direction will take a long time and is not a terrbly nice ride (I did the London to Canterbury Sportive last year)

I would take a train from London to Tonbridge or Royal Tunbridge Wells and then pick your own route on the small B and C roads - any reasonably decent auto map should be sufficient - it will save some time and put you in to nice countryside with little hassle - riding out of London is never fun

for more details and help (on England and Belgium legs) I would post on Bikeradar: http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=40003

 

[nealric]

Thanks for the tips!

I didn't have a particular Sustrans route in mind- I just heard there was one that got out of London in that direction, but I saw some photos of sustrans routes that looked to be crushed gravel or some similar surface. I would prefer to start from London proper if at all feasible so I can accurately say I rode between the two cities!

 

[M.J.]

tell people whatever you want about where you cycled - I've never had a fun, safe ride out of London to nicer parts and would strongly encourage you to consider taking a train to somewhere scenic to begin your ride - the only exception to this is riding west along the Thames Path towards Slough / Oxford

riding in inner London however is great fun and a perfect way to see the city - please PM me if you want a guided tour - also bring or plan on buying a good lock for any rides in London where you will not be physically touching your bike

looking at the Sustrans routes I didn't see one that goes in your direction - any paths in that part of the world would not be crushed gravel - BTW the Thames Path heading east is not a suitable route to exit London on - especially if you want to do 75-100 miels per day

please report back after your trip

 

[nealric]

Thanks for the suggestions-

I have been in London for the past few weeks taking some Law courses, so I have had a chance to see the city by bike. Are you saying the suburbs are particularly worse than riding in the city?

I have a done a few rides starting in Uxbridge, which was perfectly pleasant. Are there any similar starting points that are still inside the M25 loop that wouldn't be too hectic?

 

[M.J.]

Uxbridge and southeast London are different worlds - am in zone 3 - to me Uxbridge is a suburb, a nice one, but a suburb...

inner London riding = ride around Parliament Square, Trafalgar Square, West End, along the Thames, South Bank, through the City, through Hyde Park - have you been to Condor? loop around Regent's Park?

am cycling in Letchworth on Sunday morning (early train from Finsbury Park) - you're welcome to join me