Starting at Rainham we'll take route 1 before dropping down to the Swale 'Staights' to take a look at the new bridge over to the Isle of Sheppey. When we rode to Sheppey last year the bridge wasn't complete and it will be intersting to see what provisions they've made for cyclists. We'll probably ride to Sheerness later in the year.
We stay on the mainland and continue on route 1 as it meanders over to Faversham where we'll find a pub for lunch. We'll skirt Nagden and Graveney Marshes before heading back to Rainham.

There will be oportunities to cut this ride short at Faversham and Sittingbourne if you so desire. There is also an opportunity to make the ride longer. The traffic free riverside path back to Gillingham or Rochester is always worth the effort.

Check out the photos from the Sittingbourne Loop earlier this year as some of the route is the same.

Unsuitable for racey road bikes.

All day ride.

Report

Four of us were at the station in Greenwich, one got on at Charlton, two boarded at Dartford and two were waiting at Rainham.

Gary, Jeff, Kay-E, Ian, Stephen, Ray, Karen, Steve and Richard made up the nine riders for today’s ride through the Swale.

After some adjustments to Ray’s cones we headed off in the glorious spring sunshine. I was down here a week ago and all the trees were bare, but a week of warm spring sunshine had enticed the garden spirits to explode the orchards, shrub and tree lined roads into an explosion of glorious spring colour. I think this early spring flowering is about 3 or 4 weeks early although it’s only in the trees at the moment and we still have the spring flowers to look forward to.

We zipped through Upchurch and Lower Halstow and then skirted the Swale between Funton and Raspberry Hill. Over Raspberry Hill and the new bridge over to Sheppey came into plain view. I was here a week ago for a quick inspection of the new road layout. The new bridge carries 4 lanes of traffic on and off the island from the A429 whilst the old lifting Kingsferry Bridge carries two lanes and the railway. When we were here a year ago getting on and off the island was unpleasant with a lot of traffic jammed onto two lanes of road. The situation at the crossing has now eased although I can’t comment on what it’s like further down the road where everything comes together. We’ll find out on a ride to Sheerness later in the year.

Turning away from Sheppey we headed up through Iwade and Kemsley before hitting some heavy traffic on the roads outside Sittingbourne. Fortunately here there was an adjacent cycle path which made the ride a little easier and pleasanter.

Through Sittingbourne and Murston and we hook up with the off road, fly tipped, glass strewn section of Sustrans route before Little Murston. I’ve been down here a couple of times this year now and I haven’t managed to get a group through this section without someone picking up a puncture, armadillos or not. Today was no exception! Jeff fixed his puncture with help from Kay-E and me whilst everyone else lolled around in the lovely warm sunshine. The route continues on the flood defences by Conyer Creek, very pretty, through Conyer, Teynam Street, Deerton Street. We’re religiously following route 1 but at Nash’s Farm I’ve decided to turn left and head for Oare missing out the 1in5 into Faversham. That caught a couple out who had gone ahead. Fortunately they’re not too far ahead for a shout to get them to turn around. Through Oare and we’re into Faversham, the flat way. We get the 1in5 on the way back.

In Faversham we turn our noses up at a couple of pubs and head into the olde town centre – it’s very picturesque. We decide on a pub called The Ship, buy a couple of drinks and then are told that they are suspending sales of food because of a rush. The two drinks that were bought are bolted down and we leave and find a café on the corner of the market (sorry didn’t get the name). There are all kinds of foods here, sandwiches to meals, at reasonable prices ranging from £3 to £8. Recommended, it’s at the top of the high street on the corner.

Out of Faversham and we skirt, Ham, Nagden and Graveney Marshes before heading back into Faversham. Stephen leaves us at Faversham. Out of Faversham again, up the 1in5 and we’re on a road that shadows the railway all the way into Sittingbourne, 5 miles with only 1 turn, the pace picks up and the ride gets a little competitive especially on the small climbs. It’s all enjoyable and everyone lives with it. Through Sittingbourne we cross the A249 near Upper Toes and then join route 1 again. I get a little lost just past Newington, nothing serious and then we’re back on track again literally as we head over a hill, near Breach on the bumpiest roads (old farm roads) on the ride so far. Just south of Rainham Station I take a quick census of what everyone wants to do and Karen, Richard, Steve and Gary head for the train from Rainham whilst Ray, Jeff, Kay-E and me do an extra 7 miles along the river path into Gillingham, Chatham and Rochester

Stats

48 miles to Rainham
55 miles to Rochester
1677 feet of climbing on the Rainham Loop.
About 7.5 hours to Rainham
About 8 hours to Rochester.

As usual, thanks for a great day out.

Photos later.

Ian Pendleton.