Hoo Peninsula Sunday 20th May

[martint235]

Well I've never been. Ever. As the current forecast for the weekend is acceptable, is anyone up for a ride out on the Hoo Peninsula? Grab some lunch, dip our toes in the Thames and then cycle back?

Edit: Right it's Sunday with a 8am start at HPC and 8.30-8.45 Greenwich pickup. Route is here.

What we actually do after lunch in Cooling is open but I've plotted a route down to Grain. The route back is a bit more direct than the route out but should be ok.

Riders

Martint235
Ianrauk
User10571 (Possible)
Mice
AnythingbutVanilla
Sittingduck
Paulrider
CrockofGold

Anymore??

 

[AnythingButVanilla]

This weekend coming? I'd be up for it as I really need to get the miles in before a 77 mile sportive in about four weeks time but I'm quite slow even on a road bike and wouldn't want to hold everyone else up.

 

[User10571]

Watering holes on the peninsula are a bit thin on the ground.
I'd recommend the Horseshoe and Castle in Cooling for food. If there's more than say, eight of you give Kevin a ring on 0163 - 422 1691 to let him know your coming.
Don't expect to finish one of their baguettes on your own - sharing is the way to do it - very good vfm.
Best roads are on the north side via Cliffe, Cooling and High Halstow. Avoid the A228 like the plague. The roads from Allhallows-on-sea through to Stoke are ok but it all gets a bit uninspiring once you reach Hoo itself - fast roads but with good cycle track alongside.
The canal path between Gravesend and Higham (NCN1) is just about rideable on 23s - it wasn't last year when they resurfaced it.
I may or may not join you.

 

[Panter]

Just subscribing to this...

I'm fairly sure we'll be away at the weekend but if not, would love to meet everyone en route

 

[ianrauk]

yup count me in

 

[Sittingduck]

I'm a maybe... depending on day, weather and the status of my legs!

 

[martint235]

I was thinking of A206/A226 with a couple of deviations and into Grain on the A228. If this is as bad as User10571 suggests then I think we head to Cooling for lunch. I was hoping to reach Grain as the furthest point but getting there does seem to involve the A228. I shall give it more thought.

What's the preference so far Sat or Sun? I suppose the roads on Sunday will be quieter once we're out of Greenwich anyway.

 

[User10571]

I normally use the FNRttC route to Whitstable to get out there - splitting off from the aforementioned in Lower Higham.
The A228 isn't a huge amount of fun mainly because it carries container traffic to and from Thamesport, in addition to which despite the presence of proximity cameras the local yoof use it as their racetrack. For the most part it's one lane in each direction with few opportunities for safe overtaking. Having said that... last year when I rode out that way with Mice, there was a fair bit of road building going on in the vicinity of Grain, so it may well be the case that there's now an 'old' road as well as the new one. Sundays and Bank Hols it's quieter because I think the port isn't operational.
Grain itself is worth a visit if only to find the beach and then ride a km or so along the sea wall to Grain Tower - which can be accessed by causeway at low tide - although I've never had the bottle to go out to the tower itself.

EDIT: Oh, and don't expect much in the way of chippies or corner shops - there are very few opportunities to spend your money towards the east end of the peninsula.

EDITx2: Have a 'walk-thru' on Google earth here to get an idea of what to expect on the A228: http://tinyurl.com/bohbtk6

 

[martint235]

Cheers User10571. I'll draw up a route tonight and post it up.

And I think we'll go with Sunday for the lighter traffic generally. Could a moderator please add Sunday 20th May to the title please?

 

[Mice]

User10571's route is highly Micecommended! Quite a bit of it is alongside the Thames (where's that 50s Cafe, User10571?) and there are some great views across to Leigh on Sea (?) and Canvey Island. Lovely country lanes too. Please can I pencil my name down (providing you are not doing an 18mph rolling average! )

Mice

 

[ianrauk]

I have added the date to the thread.

Is the route ok for 23's? or they gonna get ripped to shreds?
What time the off? 8 or 8.30am?

 

[frank9755]

Can't make it, I'm afraid, but I lived in Cliffe Woods for a few years during early teens. I spent many a weekend cycling round the quiet roads between Cliffe, Cooling and High Halstow. I always had to get off and push on the last hill into HH.
Can't recommend any pubs, as I was too young!

 

[martint235]

I have added the date to the thread.

Is the route ok for 23's? or they gonna get ripped to shreds?
What time the off? 8 or 8.30am?

I think a sociable 9am start from HPC. I'll be on Lelly so we're not going anywhere that's going to destroy 23s

 

[martint235]

(providing you are not doing an 18mph rolling average! )

In my defence, a. it was a really nice day for cycling yesterday. b. I was on my own. c. I had somewhere to go to (Maldon). To be honest I ended up arriving an hour early and went down to the Heybridge Basin for a bit of sunbathing!!

And of course you're welcome along Mice.

 

[User10571]

...... I'll be on Lelly so we're not going anywhere that's going to destroy 23s

In which case skip the canal path. I went down there reluctantly last weekend as the ride leader was taking the ride that way. It was better than I expected, and certainly an improvement on the appalling state it was in last year. However, when it came to the return trip, Ess and myself opted for the road. With good reason.

@Mice
The 50's cafe is The Promenade Cafe on Gordon Promenade in Gravesend.

FYI Mart, I went through there last Friday, the gents on the Prom is permanently shut now due to persistent vandalism. There's always the ladies.......