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Dec 2011
4:56pm, 12 Dec 2011
448 posts
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Traviss
I know where you mean. What's the view on a route that would involve a "compulsory walk 30m stretch?" I'm just considering an alternative stretch of the saxon shore route - but there is a short stretch which is no more than a metre wide with railings one side and a low wall the other - but (on a nice day) could be fairly busy with people, prams etc... Do you think that's acceptable? The main benefit is zero road, 98% tarmac/concrete and two toilet blocks en route... with a far higher chance that they would both be open! Its just that short stretch... otherwise the route would be more like the Liverbird ones, but perhaps a litle more scenic views.
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Dec 2011
4:58pm, 12 Dec 2011
449 posts
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Traviss
It might actually be 100% tarmac... now I think about it a bit more I think they resurfaced the bit I was thinking about.
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Dec 2011
8:30pm, 12 Dec 2011
131 posts
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mblnFERCr
I think I walked through that bit, heading from the hotel to the start, and it is tight. I can imagine complete gridlock there, with a runner each way, and a dog walker or two. Whats the path like further down towards Walmer, with the turn around at the narrow section/the pier?
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Dec 2011
9:01pm, 12 Dec 2011
450 posts
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Traviss
That's the bit - the path is excellent towards Walmer/Kingdown and once you're past the Castle fairly people free in December... the main problem though then is the distance... It's a lot of up and downs - the benefit though is that the aid station could be in the middle (and there is a handy free car park there too) (in fact just noticed that there are two car parks, never noticed that before!) - would need at least 6 x up and downs. There are positives though, 2 toilet blocks, free parking, 100% tarmac paths traffic free and you'd go past the aid station 12 times rather than 4... You couldn't to it in the decent weather months as there would be too many people about, but in winter, might work ok...
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Dec 2011
10:41pm, 12 Dec 2011
644 posts
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TZ
I really do like that plan Traviss. When I ran along there on Sunday I thought it looked ideal (for running) past and beyond Deal Castle. You could even use one of the covered seating areas instead of a tent!
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Dec 2011
11:22pm, 12 Dec 2011
451 posts
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Traviss
The car park is further along from there I think TZ... the "All tarmac" version would be 7 ups and downs, basically from the edge of Kingsdown to the pier and back... (thus missing the narrow segment and unfortunately the covered areas!) if we took the route up through Kingdown it would take out one loop at least, but then you're on gravel and a "road" (just a dead end to beach front houses) Actually appears to be three car parks there, easily enough space for 100 cars I'd guess but with more laps you'd have to be a bit more careful with the lap counting and thus numbers. Might be worth getting it measured even as is 100% tarmac and no road crossings (there is a even an accredited measurer who lives in Deal!) so could be qualified as a road marathon... and still all on the Saxon Shore Way.
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Dec 2011
11:50pm, 12 Dec 2011
132 posts
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mblnFERCr
Traviss, I think there is one covered seating area between the pier and the narrow section 
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Dec 2011
11:59pm, 12 Dec 2011
452 posts
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Traviss
There is yes, but it's right there - like 50 yards away. And the main issue of that area from the pier to the narrow bit is that is probably the most populated by the general public! I think that would cause all sorts of issues... especially on a sunny mild day. Whereas if you had the "base camp" up by Walmer Castle you could go past it twice each loop and there is a ton of room for car parking and messing about rather than getting in people's way... (There is also a small market in that area at times too!) Doing some measuring there seems to be a pretty good fit for 7 loops from the pier to the end of the decent tarmac bit... I'd need to measure it more accurately but I think there is the basis for a good route there. Then there can be a "trail" Saxon Shore and a "road" Saxon Shore route!
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