By David Kirkby
David Kirkby rode Stage 1 of the new L2P 2008 route from Hampton Court to Dover. David has ridden L2P 2006 and 2007. In 2007 he rode for Team Lend Lease. He was founder of the Tour de Kids ride in Australia, an annual 1000km + ride. David was most recently Ride Captain for the Winter Training camp in Mallorca, Spain together with professional Emma Davies from Team Swift.
Riders guided to day 1.....180km 1800m climbing..and descending!
I must say having ridden the last two L2Ps and enjoying the greenery and windy lanes of Surrey and Sussex on our way to Portsmouth, it would be a difficult task to match the previous picturesque rides. As it turns out the new route is even better! Travelling initially south on well worn cycle routes to Dorking the scenery changes as you climb and descend the byways towards Gatwick, before heading east passing close by Tunbridge Wells on our way to Dover. Farmland and elevated views are the order of the day.
The ride can be broken down into two halves with the first offering a mixture of small hills and undulating country, the scenery is fabulous, however, you need your wits about you as there are three or four descents and climbs that require competent bike skills and energy saving strategies as this is a fairly long day in the saddle. It is wise not to expend all ones energies on the first day!
Before you hit the lunch spot there are a few climbs that do not require fast attacking but a settled rhythm to climb. The lunch spot will most likely be at Lamberhurst approx 100km completed which is an idyllic village and beautiful setting. Summary: undulating with a few small testing climbs to be ridden, and tempo riding saving the effort for day two and three.
After Lunch 80 km to ride into Dover. This section is quite different with the majority of the ride being along the ridge line, rolling to flat. Quite easily Sven and I averaged 30+km/hr while chatting (must have been a tailwind). However, there are two notable climbs that have a sting; the first is not far after lunch at Goudhurst which featured in last years TdF as the King of the Mountain points on stage 1. This will also be the hill points for L2P. Wow what a cracking village beautiful vista, village church and ....graveyard..... Yes at the top of the climb is a graveyard where cyclists that push too hard rest... Seriously the climb up to the church is a ripper rising steeply at the finish and will be worth every point that the winner earns. From here into Dover we found an easy run with super vista’s, except for the final climb over the hill at Dover which has a nasty sting in the tail. This climb is not only long but quite steep towards the top. Altitude gained with sweat and grimace turns into a fast long easy descent and a cool down run into Dover.
Summary: 80km flat to undulating with two serious climbs to test those who dare, one of the prettiest rides I have done in England!
We tested the finish location just a few hundred yards from the ferry before making our way home for a well earned rest. Stage 1 fantastic with a word of caution, you will start the ride with a full tank, so don't press the accelerator too hard as you may not have enough fuel for day 2 and 3.
Reports on Stage 2 and 3 to follow once ridden,