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national route 1

Posted: 8 Aug 2014, 10:35am
by mercalia
from Gravesend Kent east to Lower Higham - onesection to avoid. Sections are strewn with glass debris and potholes as it goes between delapitdated commercial premises. then onto a terrible concrete "road" that gives terrible bumps at the section joins then onto a long flat but very rough stoned track only fit for mt bikes ( very pretty ride but hard to enjoy it while your teeth are chattering).

Re: national route 1

Posted: 8 Aug 2014, 12:44pm
by redfacedbaldfatman
mercalia wrote:from Gravesend Kent east to Lower Higham - onesection to avoid. Sections are strewn with glass debris and potholes as it goes between delapitdated commercial premises. then onto a terrible concrete "road" that gives terrible bumps at the section joins then onto a long flat but very rough stoned track only fit for mt bikes ( very pretty ride but hard to enjoy it while your teeth are chattering).


The cobbled section is particularly bad, although I think it can be avoided easily enough. It's grim for the NCN1, I wonder what visiting cycle tourists make of it?
I quite like the gravel track though on my hybrid (with front sus), there is a WW2 gun emplacement down a track at the bike barrier in the middle of the path. Wife takes her cyclocross bike on that path too and regularly complains of sore wrists as she has CF forks. Definitely not suitable for a road bike, there is a road which runs parallel which would be the better option.

Re: national route 1

Posted: 8 Aug 2014, 1:35pm
by mercalia
Yes I only took it as I started from Dartford and met a guy who had come from Gravesend to Dartford on route 1. I had been looking for a better way than the coastal main road that is roller coaster like. That section is not too bad but I think I wont use it again as is a slowish ride with too many diversion. The stoney bit on the section u refer to is not gravel lol more like large grey stones/rocks bedded into he ground, not nice at all for a non sus bike. By the way I was on a short trip and ended up at Upnor (Castle) NE of Rochester. It is a nice little place on the estuary with a nice little walk in/out pub & the barmaid was quite happy to refll my water bottle.

Re: national route 1

Posted: 8 Aug 2014, 1:57pm
by redfacedbaldfatman
mercalia wrote:Yes I only took it as I started from Dartford and met a guy who had come from Gravesend to Dartford on route 1. I had been looking for a better way than the coastal main road that is roller coaster like. That section is not too bad but I think I wont use it again as is a slowish ride with too many diversion. The stoney bit on the section u refer to is not gravel lol more like large grey stones/rocks bedded into he ground, not nice at all for a non sus bike. By the way I was on a short trip and ended up at Upnor (Castle) NE of Rochester. It is a nice little place on the estuary with a nice little walk in/out pub & the barmaid was quite happy to refll my water bottle.


Upnor is really nice, the castle was built in 1559, the only costal fort in the England to fire a shot in anger (although it was much too late to stop the Dutch).
There is a London stone in Lower Upnor dated 1204, lots of history around the area. Can be really nice on an autumn morning:

upnor-001.JPG

Re: national route 1

Posted: 8 Aug 2014, 3:56pm
by gaz
mercalia wrote:from Gravesend Kent east to Lower Higham - onesection to avoid.

Avoid? Hardly, it's my commute.

mercalia wrote:Sections are strewn with glass debris and potholes as it goes between delapitdated commercial premises.


You're right about the glass and potholes but I think you'll find the correct terminology to apply to the area is industrial heritage, did you miss the informal memorial to E E Williams?

Image

Just past the fridge freezer the way you came :wink: .

Image

Birds Eye View of the Last Combat Flight of Flight Sargeant Eric E Williams

I first saw a Hurricane over Rosherville station circling round about 12,000 feet. He was obviously in trouble. I watched him struggling, twisting and turning. The plane seemed to have no visible damage. Realising his legs may be wounded, as all the manoevres made were by column control only, rudder not working. He headed towards Gravesend Aerodrome using elevators and ailerons but found himself at Windmill Hill (he must have known he could not reach the aerodrome). He then proceeded towards the river, seeing open spaces below he circled twice then turned to the river west of Milton Church and gasometers, also electric works chimney. By then he was approximately 300 feet. He made a sharp turn right over the factories at the Oast House with the river in front. He banked hard right and dived straight down. The Albion Shades causeway was dead ahead. This landmark was the only one that gave his position of entry. I believe at that point he collapsed having used the last of his energy. He now lays at rest contented he killed no-one. He was a very brave pilot who gave his life to save others. He could have rolled over any time when he was at height and baled out.

15 October 1940.


http://www.bbm.org.uk/WilliamsEE.htm

mercalia wrote:then onto a terrible concrete "road" that gives terrible bumps at the section joins

Before you get there you have to pass through the narrow alleyway with the blind corner, how could you forget that? :wink:

mercalia wrote:then onto a long flat but very rough stoned track only fit for mt bikes

Rough Surface.jpg
Did you not see the official warning :wink: .

Please forward your complaints to Network Rail who are the landowner.

mercalia wrote:( very pretty ride but hard to enjoy it while your teeth are chattering).


The canal, particularly the bit through the SSSI is very nice indeed.

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Glad to hear you found some hospitality in Upnor.

Re: national route 1

Posted: 8 Aug 2014, 4:31pm
by mercalia
re the rough surface warning sign - I did see one - but I was going the other way TO Gravesend from Lower Higham, the sign I saw was for me at the end of the bad patch lol - thanks for telling me it was bad lol. By then I was just glad to be off the track so didnt notice much there after.

Re: national route 1

Posted: 8 Aug 2014, 4:39pm
by gaz
Oh well, in that case you missed it's twin :wink: .
DSCN0274a.jpg

Re: national route 1

Posted: 8 Aug 2014, 6:01pm
by mercalia
gaz you clearly love this route so I wont try and fence anylonger with you :lol: