Canterbury circular ride via Bishopsbourne
- Start point: Dane John Gardens, Canterbury
- Start time: 11:00, Saturday 11th June 2011
- Distance: 12 or 18 miles
- Ride leader: Andrew Fenyo (bishopsbourne-ride@bigwheelofkent.org.uk)
Getting to the start point
The start point is Dane John Gardens Canterbury. The park is close to Canterbury East railway station (just across the bridge opposite the station exit) and about half a mile from Canterbury West railway station (head towards the City Centre).
If you are travelling by car there are two car parks adjacent to Dane John Gardens. A less expensive option is to park at one of Canterbury’s Park & Rides and cycle in.
The ride
The ride is suitable for all types of bike. It does include one section along farm roads that are surfaced but rather pot-holed in places.
Both versions of this ride show how quickly you can cycle out of Canterbury to lovely Kent countryside.
The shorter ride to Bishopsbourne and back has only one minor hill in each direction and therefore is a good ride for beginners. This ride leaves Canterbury along Regional Cycle Route 16 to Patrixbourne then through Bridge to Bishopsbourne. There are several pubs in Bridge and The Mermaid in Bishopsbourne.
The longer ride includes a long but not steep hill out of Bishopsbourne up onto the Downs, followed by long gentle downhill stretches back to Bridge via Lynsore Bottom and Pett Bottom (with The Duck Inn).
