Saturday, August 31, 2013

The loop today was a run out from Offham again, this time up to Ightham and Oldbury. took the byway then bridleway into Oldbury Wood, this is a cracker and will be better coming down in.
The Byway and bridleway split, I took the first bridleway on the left out onto the Sevenoaks road, its a good ride, a bit churned up by horse traffic, but the downhill to the road is stoney and with some loose rocks for added fun.
Turned right on the main road for about 300 yards and took the bridleway on the left into Raspit Woods, this is a bit of a mean one, sand and roots, and a gentle uphill all the way, to the steps, then I took the right hand track, leading out to Stone Street church (I think), loads of horse traffic, and a singletrack has been run either side of the byway which was a big help, small road section then back onto the bridleway to Redhill Wood, then out to a left hand on the road down through Hanger Wood (nice descent).
I missed the bridleway entrance in Stone Street, so took the first right (past the red phone box) and picked it up on the left hand side, had a small navigation error here on the path, but found my way back to the route and a great ride down to the valley bottom near Ightham Mote. A steep road climb up to Ivy Hatch and took the first right, out to the Tonbridge road, just opposite the junction is another bridleway.
This is well maintained and a good ride through fields and woods to Plaxtol, from there I just followed the same route as last time, riding the bridleways through to Offham.



Saturday, August 24, 2013

16 Miles, five more bridleways, another byway,  and a great restricted byway along the valley.

Set out from Offham (parking at the village hall), rain and grey skies, and onto the bridleyway into the east side of Mereworth Woods, got lost, and finally crossed the seven mile lane onto the other side of the woods.
Then a great Byway "The Hurst descent" on Strava, and onto the byway and then another bridleway.

Good ride, and I'll be back for more in the woods.