POSTPONED - Along HS1 from Bearsted to Hothfield (circular)

Note that this event has been postponed due to the inclement weather. A new date will be announced shortly

A fairly flat spin along the base of the Kent Downs following the route of HS1.

We start in Bearsted and cycle out towards Leeds Castle, 'The Loveliest Castle in the World' and often used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. With bare trees it may be visible at some points.

We pass through the villages of Langley Heath and Kingswood and along country lanes beside a mix of farmland and ancient woodland towards Egerton.

From Egerton we ride along the Green Sands Ridge to Pluckly, reported to be one of the most haunted villages in England.

From here we start to head towards the North Downs, after passing through Hothfield we cross the M20 and HS1. We turn back west and head to Charing. We can stop for lunch in Charing. We will pass Charing Station, on the same line as Bearsted, for anyone who may be needing an escape from the return half of the ride.

After Charing it is more farmland, woodland and small hamlets as we ride along the base of the North Downs. We cross over  HS1 a few times and pass an impressive solar farm squeezed between the rail link and M20.

We cycle through Harrietsham and on to Hollingbourne. Don't worry we are not cycling up the whole of the infamous Hollingbourne Hill, a favourite with road cyclists proving their thigh muscles and power. We'll just go as far as Pilgrims Way; turning off just before the hill really kicks up!

We then cycle along this ancient road, the well trodden path of Pilgrims walking to Canterbury Cathedral to the shrine of Thomas à Becket who was murdered in the Cathedral in 1170. The pilgrims are also the inspiration for Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

Once we reach Thurnham we drop down to Bearsted station.

Micro Events – IMPORTANT, Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
• All are required to practice social distancing – staying 2m (not 1m) apart at all times, including the lunch stop.
• Please join events within around one hour’s travel from your home, rather than travelling longer distances to get there.
• Unfortunately, there won’t be any planned pub / café stops en route or at the end, and please don’t share sweets or snacks with others – we’re sorry!
• No car sharing to the start point unfortunately.
• Please bring your own hand sanitising gel for your own use throughout the day. Use of face coverings is at your own choice.
• Each person can only attend one OutdoorLads micro event a week. (Leaders to leave at least three days between events they lead.)
• On walks, one person to hold open gates and allow everyone to walk through – so minimising surfaces that multiple people touch. 
• Be aware that opportunities for toilet stops may be minimal if facilities are closed.
• Please, please cancel at your earliest opportunity if you are unable to attend or are unwell, so that we can allow others to take up these valuable event spaces.
• Much as it's difficult - no handshakes or hugs!

Please see our website for more information including an FAQ about our micro events.

Micro Events training Video: https://youtu.be/pRUhFQVIAPM

Participation Statement

You MUST complete the Participation Statement at https://outdoorlads.events/CyclingParticipation in addition to booking your event space before attending a cycling event.

OutdoorLads Events Calendars
You can now go directly to our events calendar pages by bookmarking the follow links:

• http://outdoorlads.events/SouthEastCycling for our South East Cycling calendar
• http://outdoorlads.events/Cycling for our national Cycling calendar
• http://outdoorlads.events/SouthEast for all events in the South East

New Event Notifications
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Strava

For the more competitive riders we also have our Outdoor Lads Strava group here.

Image Credit: Photos are provided by ODL member Richard Martin and OutdoorLads has permission to use them.