Cantii Way in a day!
- Si
- Apr 25, 2025
- 4 min read
The Cantii Way is a 234 km cycling route that takes you on an epic journey through some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in Kent.
Starting in Wye, it heads north through Canterbury into Whistable, following the Oyster Coast to Sandwich, before heading south down the coast to Rye before finally heading back inland to your orginal starting point in Wye.
The route cuts across nature reserves, historic sites, and bustling little towns, with a mix of gravel, sea walls, single track and grass terrains to cover, but 90% of the route is tarmac, so no official FKTs to be had here!
I had ridden this route previously but in an anti-clockwise direction, but this time i wanted to not only do it the "correct" way, but also ride it in under 10 hours - a big ask over an Easter Weekend!
I started the ride bright and early on Easter Saturday at 5:45 AM, just as the sun was starting to creep up. An early night meant I was feeling fresh, and the easy ride out to the start point in Chartham was a nice wake up ride.
I’d packed just under 1000g of carbs to get me through — everything from energy gels to homemade Marshmallow Krispie bars (50g each). Move over, Stykr — these babies were way better than any store-bought snack!
They were exactly what I needed to keep the legs turning if I started flagging later on.
When I 'd ridden the route previously i'd got stuck weaving between weekend tourists along any stretch that was a beach hotspot, I decided this time to alleviate this issue.
Starting early in Chartham, meant I could get through to Canterbury, across to Whitstable and along the seawall before any normal person would be up and about, and I was right! Apart from an encounter with a giant dog, called Kilo, that nearly wiped me out less thatn 5km into the ride! The first 70km were straight into a headwind, at this point not too bad (more on that later!), the Crab and Winkle Way from Canterbury to Whitstable was fast, the overight rain hadnt made a dent on the dry trails, and then heading east across the seawall all I had to contend with was the flinted stones that had been washed up onto the seawall.
Thankfully no punctures today!
Once I hit Sandwich, things changed. I turned south and suddenly the wind was behind me, and not just a gentle push, it was a proper tailwind express. From there, all the way down to Dungeness, I felt like I was flying.
There were some off-road segments along this stretch — bone dry, cracked up, and full of baked ruts. With tyres pumped to 50psi, it felt rough. I was bouncing around a lot more than I would’ve liked.
That said, the wind more than made up for it. Just being able to carry momentum effortlessly for that long was amazing.
Dungeness has always held a special place for me — I grew up not far from here, so it feels a bit like home. It’s one of those places you can’t help but love for its desolation. It’s barren, stark, and beautiful in its own way.
But on this ride, Dungeness was easily the windiest place I’ve ever ridden. Completely open, flat, and exposed. No trees, no hedges, no mercy! The watts were rising just to keep moving!
Just after Dungeness, I rode across the RSPB Reserve, a stretch of gravel and singletrack that winds through marshlands. The landscape was quiet, but full of life — sheep grazing nearby, and if I’d stopped for a while, I could have spotted all kinds of birds. But I was on a mission, so I kept going, the wind still trying to push me backward.
As soon as I hit Lydd and turned west, the wind was my best mate again. From there to Rye, it was bliss. Flat roads, good surface, and that incredible tailwind! I was cruising at 40kph with barely any effort. This was me getting paid back for all the grinding I’d done earlier. That stretch was over way too fast, in the best way.
Then came Rye Harbour, and with it, the crowds. Easter Saturday + sunshine = everyone was out. It turned into a slalom course through walkers, dogs, toddlers, and prams with dogs in.....
I had to drop the pace and pick my way through the crowds, which was a bit annoying after having the road to myself for so long. But hey, it's part of the adventure, and I couldn’t be mad about the weather being so nice. Turning back from Winchelsea, I was back into the headwind. At this point the wind had really picked up and I wasn't looking forward to the last 80km home stretch.
A quick stop in Appledore for a cheeky Red Bull and Fridge Raiders, something savioury was needed after all the sweet, it was the final push.
Once I had cleared Ashfords winding cycle paths I knew the end was near, one final climb awaited, White Hill, coming out of Wye.
Today the train gods were not on my side, the crossing down at wye for 5mins, gave me an unscheduled stop, but you make the most of these things by wolfing down some more food.
White Hill is a climb I know well, its probably one of the longest climbs in this part of Kent, at just over 1.2km it averages 6.5%, but ramps into double digits in a few spots, not what you want after over 200km of riding.
Turning right off the road, I delved into Kings Woods, taking in the last gravel/single track segment of the ride. And what a segment it was! The bluebells had sprung and there were acres upon acres of them to feat your eyes on.
Looking at my GPS unit, i realised i could finish the route in under 9 hours, one final descent into Chilham, and I was greated by another closed train crossing. I waited and waited, 10mins passed then a train came through, but still the gates didnt open, another 5mins passed still nothing, finally 20mins after I'd first got there the gates opened. I have 7mins to break the 9 hour barrier.
It was full send up the final little kickers to Chartham, reaching my finishing point bang on the 9hour mark and the welcome sight of a pint of Neck Oil to celebrate!
Comments