Tour de Jardin d’Angleterre
Stages 1 – 3 of 6
We are so fortunate to live in the beautiful Garden of England, and the Tour de Jardin d’Angleterre will take you on a journey to rediscover this lovely corner of England.
Each month Le Jardin will take you on a journey through time, seeking classic Kentish views or provide the opportunity to sample our unique specialities ….Oysters anyone?
The Format
Running from April to September, Le Jardin, will consist of 6 stages.
Each stage will have:
- Standard (approximately 40 Miles) and Epic (approximately 60Miles) options.
- Some will also have Steady and Extreme options!
The monthly stages will not be timed, all you need to do, to complete Le Jardin, is finish 1 stage per month, for 6 months.
To spice up Le Jardin there will also be 12 timed segments. The riders from each club ride group will be pronounced the monthly King (or Queen) of the Mountains and the monthly King (or Queen) of Speed.
Credits
With thanks to Ian Goldsmith (HCC) for his time and effort in providing the routes and information for each stage and managing the content on Spond. Contents transcribed and adapted for the website by Paul Taylor (HCC).
| Ride Name | Tour Stage 1 – A route to murder |
| Route Info |
December 1170, 4 knights; Hugh de Moreville, Reginald Fitzurse, William de Tracey and Richard le Bret. On the evening of 28 Breton met at Saltwood Castle. The reason for their meeting? They had been ordered by King Henry II to murder Thomas Becket, and so they drank, eat and plotted this lurid and infamous death late into the night.The next morning the 4 knights travelled, on horseback, the 15 miles to Canterbury Cathedral to carry out the dastardly deed. This month’s route will follow the knight’s probable journey from Saltwood Castle to Canterbury. |
| Map Stage1 Standard Route on RidewithGPS |
|
| Approximate Distance | 40 miles, 65 km |
| Approximate Ascent | 1600 feet, 489 m |
| Stage 1 Epic Route on RidewithGPS |
|
| Approximate Distance | 57 miles, 91 km |
| Approximate Ascent | 2142 feet, 653 m |
| Ride Name | Tour Stage 2 – Sonnet 18 |
| Route Info |
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day William Shakespeare. In 1991 a TV Series was aired which reinforced the status of ‘national treasure’ for David Jason and launched the career of a certain welsh beauty .. Catherine Zeta-Jones … Of course, I am talking about the Darling Buds of May which was based upon and filmed in the Garden of England. The author of the original books, HE Bates, lived in Little Chart (as we lived nearby in my youth, my mother actually used to go to Women’s Institute with his wife and they became close friends) and based his stories in the immediate area, with Ashford and Romney Marsh being mentioned regularly.This stage will visit many of the places mentioned in the books or that appeared in the TV Series. Hythe to Pluckley is a fair ride so unfortunately the standard ride must miss some of the sites that the Epic route will visit but still visits the main locations. So, if you can, please choose the epic ride – it is worth the extra 6 miles … honest. |
| Stage 2 Standard Route on RidewithGPS |
|
| Approximate Distance | 47 miles, 76km |
| Approximate Ascent | 2244 feet, 684m |
| Stage 2 Epic Route on RidewithGPS |
|
| Approximate Distance | 53 miles, 85km |
| Approximate Ascent | 2280 feet, 695m |
| Ride Name | Tour Stage 3 – Hops and Grapes |
| Route Info |
Changing drinking habits coupled with climate change have now resulted in many of Kent’s trademark hop garden being replaced by vineyards, with over 50 of UK’s 500 vineyards being in Kent and we ride past many of the very best on our various club rides. With a break from the first 2 stages, this month’s stage will have 3 different lengths and will aim to visit as many of these new vineyards as we can. The routes are Standard (47miles & 499m climbing), Epic (52miles & 932m) and the Extreme (71miles & 877m) . This month’s King/Queen of Speed Segment https://www.strava.com/segments/34316874 will descend Frith Road from Aldington towards the stone cross junction, whilst the King/Queen of Mountains Segment, https://www.strava.com/segments/34316909 will climb the hill past Tenterden Golf Course. Enjoy the ride .. Vive le Jardin ! |
| Stage 3 Standard Route on RidewithGPS |
|
| Approximate Distance | 47 miles, 76km |
| Approximate Ascent | 2244 feet, 684m |
| Stage 3 Epic Route on RidewithGPS |
|
| Approximate Distance | 53 miles, 84km |
| Approximate Ascent | 2870.73 feet, 875m |
| Stage 3 Extreme Route on RidewithGPS |
|
| Approximate Distance | 70 miles, 113km |
| Approximate Ascent | 2789 feet, 850m |
The Hythe Cycling Club is affiliated to British Cycling
You can join the club Here or via British Cycling online. Note: there is a £1 admin fee if you join any BC club online.