Plug for the above event I'm organising...
The ride kicks off from The Iron Room, Boughton Lees near Ashford,Kent and heads through Wye, Crundale, Petham, Upper Hardes, and tackles a few mini-beasts including Chequers Hill and the climb from Bursted Manor, to the first checkpoint just above Bishopsbourne.
The next leg starts off fairly politely through Barham, Denton (passing the Jackdaw PH featured in the 'Battle of Britain' film),climbing to Wooten and onto the Alkham valley where many of the lanes have been resurfaced. A vicious climb out of the valley and a few undulations takes you to the mid point control near West Hougham with it views of Dover Castle.
Refreshed, theres a bit of retracing before descending into Alkham and a 20% climb back out of the valley. Then its onto Lydden Hill,Wootten, Snode Hill and into the Elham Valley. Another beast takes you out of the valley on your way towards Stelling Minnis. From here it's onto the North Downs proper by climbing the 'other side' of Kingsmill Down to give great views across to the Weald and Fairlight on a good day. Descend to an 'info' and reclimb back onto the Downs, then through Waltham, Petham and towards Chartham and you're nearly home-well almost. The long drag of Penny Pot Lane takes you back to Crundale where theres a sting in the tail more than made up for by the views across the Stour valley. Then it's downhill all the way to the finish (well, no hills anyway).
