Skid Hill Lane View – Col du Skelly Monument loop from Forest Hill

Skid Hill Lane View – Col du Skelly Monument loop from Forest Hill

Moderate

4.7

(71)

1,288

riders

Skid Hill Lane View – Col du Skelly Monument loop from Forest Hill

02:24

52.0km

550m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Tips

Includes segments that go up or down a series of steps

You may need to carry your bike.

After 51 m for 94 m

After 51.9 km for 94 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

13.3 km

Gateway to the Kent Lanes

Highlight • Trail

Gateway from London to the open Lanes of Kent

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13.7 km

Long Shaw

Forest

14.3 km

Baldwin Shaw

Forest

17.3 km

Skid Hill Lane sounds like it should be the home 30% gradients or a well-know crash site. But instead it is a very pleasant and largely quiet lane that will take you towards Westerham. It's a great choice if you want to avoid some of the busier roads around Biggin Hill.

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20.0 km

Col du Skelly Monument

Highlight • Climb

I actually made the monument to Paul who was a friend, fellow father (our kids went to school together), customer (Cadence) and fellow cyclist. I had seen a picture of Paul next to a mountain marker in the Alps which is where the idea came from. I no experience of using fibreglass but gave it a go, in my garage, stinking the whole place in the process! Thankfully, the local landowners gave me permission to place it on Beddlestead, a climb Paul regularly rode. It’s great to see it still standing and I remember Paul every time I ride by. For those of you who never met Paul, he was one of life’s gentlemen. He inspired a whole bunch of people in their careers, on the bike and on the rugby pitch. He is sadly missed but always remembered.

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20.2 km

Col du Skelly (Beddlestead Lane climb)

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

The road is very quiet with little motor traffic. The climb is a good test due to its inconsistency and length. The first kilometre of the climb is the toughest but the last kick near the end is also tough. Save something for this end section.

Also, have some restraint on the rather steep descent at the start as there is usually a small bit of gravel in the road at the bottom which can cause issues due to the road being very narrow. It is usually easy to avoid if riding sufficiently slowly though.

If you want to do this climb fast, the bits to go hard on are the flatter middle section and the end while aiming to sustain momentum through the first kilometre. It is a tough but rather fun balancing act to get right.

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23.8 km

View from the North Downs over the Weald of Kent

Highlight • Viewpoint

This (of course) is not actually a view "of the North Downs": it is a view from the North Downs over the Weald of Kent. On a good day you can see the South Downs, Leith Hill, Tilburstow Hill, Gatwick, and various other landmarks.

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