Any trails near Sittingbourne?

[Kermit power]

Afternoon all,

One of my wife's mates has decided to get married on Sunday afternoon in Sittingbourne. We're going down Saturday afternoon, and as my wife wants to spend Sunday morning in the hotel spa, has already suggested I might want to take my bike and go riding.

Bedgebury is one option, but the roads aren't too quick, so it's a good hour each way even though it's only 30 miles, so I was wondering if there's anywhere closer that people know of with decent trails to ride? I'm thinking red/blue trail centre type difficulty, not nutjob down the side of a disused quarry or dull fire road, although I don't mind a bit of the latter to link fun together.

I can read an OS map perfectly happily, but there's a difference between finding hills and bridleways and finding those which are fun to ride!

[richardxjr]

Not a lot from the look of it. Zoom in and look for squiggles then cross reference on a map.

http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#10/0.63343/51.2579...

You'll see Bedgebury clear on there, it's a family orientated trail but still worth an hour each way tbh, (it's an hour the other way from me), be mindful of young 'uns learning the ropes on a Sun am though. The trail regualarly crosses the fireroad though so plenty passing places between sections.

£10 to park, or the layby on the A21 just south of the Bedgebury turn off.

[Kermit power]

I've ridden Bedgebury a couple of times, and I'd agree it's worth the effort usually, but I'd have to start pretty early to get there, round the trails and back by 13:00 to get changed for the wedding!

[JustinF]

Challock on the way to Canterbury is probably your closest trails, not fully way-marked and dedicated like Bedgebury though.

[deadtom]

There are loads of places around east Kent that have some fun little spots. There are jumps and drops at Perry woods near faversham, some short but easy and fun DH sections at Covert woods just outside canterbury, nice singletrack loops at blean, rough common and kings wood and a few other places.

if you are after proper trail centre type stuff then you're limited bedgebury or fowlmead I think

[lufbramatt]

Some good trails on the North Downs between Detling and Rochester, bridleways rather than waymarked trails though.

[missing the VR6]

I understand there is some sort of trail centre near Dover.

[sjj84]

missing the VR6 said:

I understand there is some sort of trail centre near Dover.

Are you thinking of bettshanger near Deal? Used to be called fowlmead until recently.

[missing the VR6]

sjj84 said:

Are you thinking of bettshanger near Deal? Used to be called fowlmead until recently.

That must be it, the name Fowlmead rings a bell.