TonyCal and I ran the route on Sunday and it's a really great mix of roads and scenary. We're meeting at Maidstone services (J8 M20) at 0945 for 1000 with an option for northern participants to meet earlier at South Mimms (A1/M25) around 0830 for 0845. Southerns can meet at Hickstead Shell/Travelodge also around 0830 for 0845.
The route is a combination of James Bond/Ian Fleming 'places' with lots of roman roads and roman conotations, coupled with criss-crossing of the ancient Pilgrim's Way. Running speed will generally be a lot slower than the Lakes, though there are a couple of opportunities...
We start the run crossing the Pilgrim's Way in the lanes and hills of the North Weald [1-8], then join one of the classic Bond runs [9-11] from Moonraker. After coffee [12] we loop south crossing the Pilgrim's Way again, stopping for panoramic photos at [16]. We then head north on 'Stone Street' [16-17] and stop for lunch at 'The Duck' [18] featured in Bond's obituary in 'You only live Twice'.
After a fast run down the A2 on the northern edge of the Weald [18-19] we pass St Margaret's when Ian Fleming lived, then briefly stop for a post-lunch break [21]. Heading north on the A256 we then make for the lanes again with a stretch through apple orchards and running alongside the marshes [22-24]. We then stop for a while at the seaside Roman fort at Reculver [25].
The run officially finishes at Reculver, but there's the option to join together for a run back towards London on the swooping A299, then a short stop at Hernhill [26] before continuing up the M2. The map shows the finish as Medway Services on the M2 [27] but it's likely people will pass this by on their way home.
How to join in
Please email me at tim.cullis@zroadster.net if you are interested in attending with details of
- your message board username (e.g. Zmurf)
- name of driver and passenger (e.g. Tim and Irene Cullis)
- model, colour and reg number (e.g. M roadster 3.2, Laguna Seca Blue, A4 TRC)
- mobile phone number (e.g. 07976 683999)
I will then add you to the list below of confirmed participants further down this thread. I need to confirm lunch numbers in advance (vegie options available), so please don't just turn up on the day, or cancel without reasonable warning.
Tim
..... I wasn't aware that time actually existed on a Sunday! We're at a party the night before too, so might still be a little puffy-eyed at that time of night!
but what is 'Fnaar' 
, so he won't be coming again too soon 
(and besides, a day off from the children is usually quite welcome 
