Official Launch of the new link of Route 18 - 31st May 2013

Apologies for the drought in posts recently and this latest one is a bit on the old side but nevertheless very important news that needs to be aired......

31st May 2013 was a very exciting day for us. It was the official launch of the new link of Route 18 organised by Kent County Council and Brompton Dock. The latter were also unveiling their new facilities outside Ashford International Station. 

It was an interesting sight... the suited and booted figures of Press, Councillors, Politicians and Company Executives mingled with the lycra and hi-vis cladding of the local dedicated cycle bods; an impressive turnout considering it was a weekday morning.

The MD of Brompton Dock unfolds cycles for dignitaries to try out - apparently his record for setting one of these up is less than 10 seconds!! A Brompton Dock is essentially a set of lockers each with a Brompton folding bicycle inside, which you can hire, making your onward journey form Ashford Station quick, cost effective, healthy and sustainable - a fantastic idea. There are 4 stations in Kent with these facilities (as well as 15 other UK locations) including Canterbury West. This means you can jump on Route 18 at either end - what a great way to see Kent if you are down from London (DFL) - rent a Brompton and cycle the route!

After a fair few late nights to finish off and print a first run of the Seat Leaflet before this event I was running on caffeine alone! Dad and I worked the crowd to get our leaflets and message out about the seat project. Luckily my events skills learnt during my time in sales at powerPerfector put me in good stead, and dad just has a good charm factor, so we ended up getting over 30 flyers out, meeting some exciting movers and shakers including our local MP, Damian Green.

Following the press photo shoots it was time for the serious business of the day, the inaugural ride Ashford to Canterbury on the newly enhanced Route 18, led by Spokes East Kent Cycling Campaign Chairman Steve Fawke. 

Steve kindly let me take the reigns for the ride out of Ashford and gave me the opportunity to say a few words to the group when we arrived at Catha's Seat - many thanks to Steve for accommodating this at short notice.

Time to let the photos do the talking......

Spokes Chairman Steve Fawke leads the peleton out of Ashford on the dedicated cycle paths through the Little Burton estate.

Riders approach Wye via the backroad part of route 18 that goes through Hinxhill and Naccolt. It is hoped that a new section of dedicated cycle path proposed along the Stour between Ashford and Wye will reduce the mileage and improve safety in the future.

New signage - points to the start of the new "traffic free" section off Eggarton Lane in Godmersham

The first tantalising section of freshly surfaced cycle path just off Eggarton Lane

Looking back along Route 18 towards Wye from Pope Street - a very tidy job!

The chicane safely stops riders coming out on to the road at Pope Street too quickly - avoiding any altercations with motor vehicles!

Riding the Great Stour Way closer to Canterbury. This was opened in 2011 and has the surface has settled in fantastically - it's a pleasure to ride; pedestrians and cyclists use the facilities in harmony and there are plenty of seats here! The Gentleman in the orange jacket is a committed cycle crusader in Scotland who joined us for the day - he rode the rolling contours of the route on a single speed brompton, with ease!

A well earned drink after 17 glorious miles. Luckily the Bishops Finger Pub greets you just as you finish Route 18 in Canterbury.

Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in making this new link happen over the last 20 years - the 31st May 2013 was truly a milestone for Kent cycling.