The Pilgrims Way
I would also occasionally ride on the Pilgrims Way byways for a change, especially when meeting up with friends in Sevenoaks. These byays are long, and quite dry most of the year, except after heavy precipitation. They were excellent for regaining my shattered confidence after an "instructional session" in 2003 with a trail riding group in Surrey, which turned out to be very stressfull. Everything I had tough myself was nearly gone, and the shouting by the group leader urging me to constantly go faster (WHAT FOR???) rang in my mind for weeks and nearly put me off trail riding for ever. People like travelling at different speeds, and some, like myself, actually enjoy being there, rather than just racing through. Not feeling the need to prove anything to anyone, I had a great time on these byways, and with a little help from my friends, I became a trail riding addict by 2004, getting wet and muddy every weekend!
These byways were hardly being used in 2003-2004, and apart from friends, never saw any other riders on them. There were harder sections, such as the ''steps"', which led up a hill with a bit of a viewof the area. There was some fly tipping and disposal of vehicles, but overall the area made a clean impression. After moving West, first to Wales and then to Oxford, and with my friends also having moved back to Wales, I did not visit the Pilgrims Way any more, but the fond memories remain.
Please consult your council and up to date maps on the legality of any of the mentioned byways, as the laws might have changed since my last visit. I accept no responsibility for anything that happens to you at these locations.
