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Saturday I cycled the 57 miles, from Matfield to Dover.  Had an early start, 5:35am!  But it was great as the roads were empty.  We took the main roads through Brenchley, Horsemonden, Goudhurst, Biddenden and Tenterden.  The advantages of leaving so early were clear as in all this time only about 10 cars went past us.

From Tenterden, we headed to Appledore and Romney.  The start of the ride was undulating but at the 20 mile mark (a little before Appledore) we dropped onto the Marshes and from there it remained flat all the way into Folkstone.  Pedalling on the flat does wonders for your average speed.  At the halfway mark it was almost at 17mph average.  The fastest mile I did had an average speed of 25.8 (I admit this was mostly downhill!).

Anyway, from Romney we followed the coast.  I was quite prepared to be struggling against the wind but it was behind us today so we continued to make good time!  At St Mary’s Bay we came off the road and took to the sea wall, it was lovely to cycle looking out on a deserted seashore taking in the early morning sea breeze.  They had installed speed bumps on the sea wall mind you!

We continued on it right through Dymchurch, and returned to the roads just before Hythe.  Here it started to become more built up and we just caught glances of the sea now and then.  We negotiated the streets of Folkstone and popped into Tesco for a bottle of Oasis,

and then the challenge,

Part of this route from Folkstone will be the route we take on the Pedal to Paris.  We had heard stories of Dover Hill and wanted to experience it before the day, without a doubt it is the steepest hill I have cycled up.  According to my GPS it goes from 167ft (above sea level) to 544ft (that’s a 377ft climb) in just 1 mile (ish).  After already clocking up 50 miles on the bike I made a valiant effort but just couldn’t make it up the hill.  My leg muscles ached in a way I haven’t felt before.  After that however it was a simple freewheel down to Dover and the train station,

Jumped on the train back to Paddock wood via Ashford, with time in Ashford to get a cheesy bacon pastry and a coffee!

The stats

Total Distance 56.41 miles

Total Time 3 hours 30 mins

Average Pace 3 mins 43 secs a mile

Average Speed 16.1mph (This is the fastest average speed I have ever done and over the second longest distance I have ever done)

Max speed 32.4mph

Total Calories Burnt 3563

And now some piccys

The Coast at Romney

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