Gillingham to Croydon

Wednesday October 24, 2018, 39 miles (62 km) - Total so far: 7,216 miles

(11,613 km)

We're not loving cycling in the South East..... We spent a long time hugging the A2 which was very noisy, although a good cycle path.....albeit with a fair number of gates / motorbike prevention systems! Once off that particular delight, we were wiggling through some pretty uninspiring towns, on some pretty rubbish cycling infrastructure. I have to hand it to Sustrans for trying to put something in, but it really isn't very good in this area. I wish they had more money to do a better job!! Sigh.

Once we were geographically in "London', we started seeing lots of 'London Network' signs and while this was largely on road, our route did follow the suggested routes, meaning we were mostly on quiet backroads. Where there was cycle path, it worked a lot better. It was hard going though, with a lot of stopping and starting. And not as flat as you might think!! We did have one particularly entertaining section involving two kissing gates and a footbridge over a railway.....but we got a great view of central London as we crossed, so that felt like a bit of a bonus. And eventually, we made it to Croydon!

Despite all of my complaining, I do have to hand it to cycle.travel and the cycling network, even with its failings. It might have taken ages and have felt annoying at times, but we did cycle into London without the vaguest suggestion of a mishap!!

We're staying with one of my University friends tonight, what an absolute treat :). Sitting in a warm house with a glass of wine is even better than the YHA!! ;)