Why this ride
A 262 km one-way ride from near Royal Tunbridge Wells, about 3 h 37 of riding. in Silver End is the high point. Long stretches are under trees.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Hampshire Test Valley Roads · part 1
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 262 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 3 h 37
- Journey
- One way; return travel is separate
Distance and timing basis
Ordered leg totals agree within rounding. Stop distances are approximate sums of rounded legs. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Fuel stop near Royal Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells owes its existence to a rusty spring. In 1606 a young nobleman, Lord North, was resting in the woods here and noticed a pool with an orange scum; he tried the water, felt better and told the world. Within a few decades the court was coming down from London to drink it, and the Pantiles, a raised, colonnaded walk with trees along it, became the place to be seen taking the waters. The town was granted its Royal prefix in 1909 by Edward VII, and has been the butt of letters to the editor ever since, usually signed by someone disgusted.
Read the complete High point near Royal Tunbridge Wells write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Hampshire Test Valley Roads is where the day begins. Next is Food stop near Chartham.
2. Food stop near Chartham
Planning note
Food stop near Chartham is where this day stops to eat. Next is High point in Silver End.
3. High point in Silver End
Planning note
This is where the road stops climbing. Next is Scenic stretch near Stansted Mountfitchet.
4. Scenic stretch near Stansted Mountfitchet
Most people know Stansted as an airport, but the village of Stansted Mountfitchet, just to the west of the runways, is much older and more interesting. Its brick tower windmill, built in the late eighteenth century, is one of the best-preserved in Essex, and on the hill above the village, a Norman motte-and-bailey castle has been reconstructed with wooden palisades and buildings, giving a vivid impression of what a castle looked like soon after the Conquest.
Read the complete Scenic stretch near Stansted Mountfitchet write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Scenic stretch near Stansted Mountfitchet closes the day.
Leg by leg
Fuel stop near Royal Tunbridge Wells to Food stop near Chartham
Fuel stop near Royal Tunbridge Wells → Food stop near Chartham is 74 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
Food stop near Chartham to High point in Silver End
Food stop near Chartham → High point in Silver End is 142 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
High point in Silver End to Scenic stretch near Stansted Mountfitchet
High point in Silver End → Scenic stretch near Stansted Mountfitchet is 46 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.