THREE hundred cyclists will ride through the county this weekend as part of a spectacular sporting event celebrating the centenary of the Entente Cordiale between the UK and France.

The four-stage Paris to London charity ride arrives in Dover on Sunday morning, with cyclists gathering along Marine Parade from 9am, ready for a 10.30am start.

Stage three of the race, from Dover to The Esplande in Rochester is expected to take up to two hours with the riders cycling into the heart of the Kent countryside and through Ashford and Maidstone.

The convoy may stretch for more than a mile at times and the cyclists are expected to clock up an average speed of around 29mph.

After a brief rest in Medway, the cyclists will begin the final leg of the event, riding – but not racing – to the Tower of London.

Due to the number of cyclists on the roads, the police have had to plan supervision of the event carefully.

Operation Sable will see police motorcyclists from Kent escorting the riders, supported by colleagues from the Metropolitan and Surrey forces and also accompanied by French police from the Garde Republicane.

The police are not closing any roads, but the police motorcycles will work in teams along the route to temporarily stop traffic to allow the convoy to pass.

Policing of the final stage will be similar to when officers have to escort an abnormal load on the roads and the cyclists will ride in formation.

Alan Horton, Kent’s superintendent in charge of planning the operation, said: “Three hundred cyclists, escorted by sixty motorcyclists and patrol cars, will look pretty spectacular as they wind their way through Kent.

"We hope everyone will enjoy the race, even if as a road user this means you have to wait for a few minutes while the escort passes through.

“As part of our preparations we've planned to ensure minimal traffic disruption, but please be patient and enjoy the spectacle if you do find yourself at a standstill - your wait will only be temporary."

The race is one of three hundred events taking place this year to honour the links between Britain and France in the spirit of Entente Cordiale.

All the proceeds from the event are being donated to cancer charities.

Below are the approximate times you can expect the convoy to be passing through certain areas:

Stage three: Dover to Rochester

Dover: 10.40am

Capel Le Ferne: 10.45am

Folkestone: 10.50am

Newington: 11.00am – 11.05am

Newingreen: 11.10am – 11.15am

Sellindge: 11.15am – 11.20am

Smeeth: 11.20am – 11.25am

Ashford: 11.30am – 11.35am

Harrietsham: Noon – 12.10pm

Maidstone: 12.15pm – 12.30pm

Burham: 12.20pm – 12.45pm

Borstal: 12.40pm – 12.55pm

Rochester: 12.45pm – 1.00pm

Stage four: Rochester to Tower of London

Rochester: 2.00pm

Strood: 2.00pm

Cuxton: 2.10pm – 2.15pm

Snodland: 2.20pm – 2.25pm

Addington: 2.35pm – 2.45pm

West Kingsdown: 3.00pm – 3.10pm

Greenwich: 3.45pm – 4.00pm

Tower Bridge: 4.20pm – 4.45pm

Tower of London: 4.25pm – 4.50pm