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Pilgrims Way and North Downs Way
Rob and I starting off on the Pilgrims Way.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9370/p6260268.jpg View over the North Downs. http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/2951/p6260263.jpg Our bacon sandwich decides to make a run for it. http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/4131/p6260266.jpg Rob tackles some of the deeper rutted sections. http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/777/p6260267k.jpg Stupidly I had the combination for the padlock, but was too lazy to use it, then got stuck on the gate! http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/1070/p6260269.jpg Chalk cross on the hillside. This is a "restricted" section of the North Downs Way (I have a permit) and a lot of effort has been made to grade the track - sort of spoils it for off-roaders! http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/7879/p6260270.jpg Continuing on the North Downs Way. http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/7647/p6260271.jpg Found this lane on my way home, great views over Kent, but it did get a bit narrow at the end! http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/7412/p6260273.jpg http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/7785/p6260274.jpg http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/1328/p6260275.jpg |
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Hi Nick,
I live on the Downs and often ride some of the tarmac stretches of the Pilgrims Way. I see on the map that some stretches are byways. I'd love to ride those stretches on your photo's. If it's not giving too much away any chance of sharing the route? Also 'permit'? is that from the NT? Thanks Steve |
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Details of the section where you need a permit are here ...
http://democracy.kent.gov.uk/mgIssue...aspx?IId=15321 ... and this is the application form for the permit (took only a few days to come through). https://shareweb.kent.gov.uk/Documen...pplication.pdf The image shows our route, we did lots of shorter lanes as well, but this is the main section. The "closed" section is marked by the red flags. |
Thanks for sharing that nick,
Most appreciated |
Looks a nice route Nick. I think the excuse for making it permit only a bit lame though, the same excuse could be used by people living next to the M2, M20 and the M25.
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Cracker photos and looks like some nice off roading area. Shame about the pig getting away would have been a nice lunch find/lunch!!!
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In an ideal world, rights of way are rights of way, unfortunatly we not longer live in that world. Cumbria use the HOTR method, by giving lanes a Red Amber and Green status based on the use (red being the most used), but in the LDNP (Lake District national Park), permits have been in use for some time on some routes. It's not ideal, but it is better than a TRO. |
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im new to trails had a bit of a mid lifer bought myself a 660z i live in essex near kent border and would love to try the downs trail you were on. can you send me details of where it is please or advise me how i go about getting a permit if needed thanks. bob |
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Eventually got around to riding this route yesterday. Weather was stunning, we managed to pick a route from Mickeys dinner taking in several byways to the start of your marked route. Rode it to the end then turned round and rode the route back to our starting point. 30+ miles and we saw 2 walkers and 1 cyclist on the whole route! And this is 20 mins from central London!
I think some of the wooded sections would be tricky in the winter but yesterday you could have done the whole route on dual sport tyres. So thanks for sharing Nick. Only downside was a nail in my back tyre on the M20. I managed to change the tube (after much struggling) but I just couldn't re seat the bead with my pump. Even the AA man had to release the air out and lubricate the tyre before it would seat. Any tips from the experts?? |
When you apply for the permit do you specify the date you want it for or do they allocate you a date. Not far from where I live and have ridden some of the route on my mountain bike.
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The permit lasts forever as far as I know. No dates written on it, and they promise to send me a letter if they change the code on the padlock.
In all honesty though, this short strech is not very interesting and no big loss if you cannot ride it. |
It's still worth getting a permit as there are other restricted byways in the area that require a permit.
As Nick says though, on this route you're not missing much and the road by pass route has a cafe on it. |
Thanks for the reply. So can I ride the rest of the route without the permit. Forgive my ignorance but for the last 24 years I've been a road only rider.
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99% of the route nick has marked can be ridden without a permit. The pilgrims way section is also well signposted as byway open to all vehicles. It's worth getting an OS map though just to make sure you are where you think you are??
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Nice photos, I know Pilgrims way well but use my TTR250 off road when round that area.
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