Kent Sportives

Gazzaputt

Anyone tell me of some?

Also anything around Essex?

CanterburyTailwind

Here's some that are worth looking at (for this year or the future...)
San Fairy Ann CC have an annual Sportive (118km just been run on Bank Holiday Monday http://www.sfacc.co.uk/frameset.htm)
Circle of Kent Sportive (14 Sept - http://www.kentcyclosportive.co.uk/)
Downland Cycles Nocturne (14 June - http://www.downlandcycles.co.uk/events.htm - spaces limited)
Hope that's some help!

Bronzie

Don't forget Audaxes as well (if you dont mind following route directions rather than signs). Did a fantastic 160km ride yesterday (Hop Garden Audax) from Gravesend down to Ashdown Forest and around - idyllic countryside, but my, those lanes were heavy going.

Audax - best kept secret in cycling IMO