I had decided on a meet point in Ladywell Fields and then to lead folks to Crystal Palace to pick up a train to Coulsdon where we would begin this ride. It is possible to ride out from Lewisham, through Croydon, down the A23 to farthing Down, and make this ride a true out and back London to country lanes ride. However, the train journey is short and cheap (1.65 each with groupsave), enables you to avoid the very busy and unpleasant A23, and we enjoyed a little bit of the Waterlink way and back roads to the station.
At Coulsdon, we met two more and eventually our select group of seven made its way through Coulsdon and within minutes, the fast busy roads of outer London were forgotten as we climbed up Farthing Down to our first viewpoint.
Then on, through Chaldon and then our first proper descent, at the bottom of which I began a recurring theme of the day, overshooting left turns off downhills. My trusty backmarker shot off in pursuit of the one person who had ignored my shouts of “Stopping” and madly waving arms to indicate the intended left turn and returned him to the flock.
The left turn I had missed (by yards only, I assure you) is an easy one to pass as it takes you on to route 21 for a bit, down a path rather than a road. Everyone managed this short bit of rough off road, still muddy after the rain last week, and a bit potholey. Then we were back on a quiet lane, tree lined, bluebells peeping through, sun glinting delicately off the trees new spring foliage.
We arrived in Bletchingley, where I realised I had already almost emptied my water bottle- so unused am I to riding in warm spring weather, I had filled it up still thinking of winter requirements. So, a quick stop to replenish our water supplies before moving on. Note to self- it is now officially summer- and you may need three times the water you would consume on a winter’s day riding.
This part of the route is practically all on tiny, quiet lanes, through beautiful woodland occasionally passing through tiny hamlets, lovely old cottages and ancient quiet churches. Then, at the top of Tilburstow Hill, another great view that we just had to stop and admire.
Very occasionally, we were reminded that we were still in the busiest corner of our crowded country, crossing the A25 and A22 and zooming over the M25 in seconds, but there are so many tiny, little lanes criss crossing these quiet Surrey/Kent borderlands, you can ride for miles and completely forget how close you are to London.
The most traffic we had to deal with was a group of horses and riders on Flower Lane, a tiny, rough downhill through bluebell woods. Slowing right down, we warned them of our approach with a friendly hello, and passed as far on the right as we could.
One of the toughest hills on this ride came next, Gangers Hill. Everyone arrived safely at the top, awheel or on foot. It’s tough either way, to be honest. Then off again, through Great Church Wood on to The Ridge, which as its name implies, follows a ridge along the North Downs. There are usually plenty of roadies, shooting along this road, as it’s a favourite route for them. Today, however, a few, but rather less than usual. Maybe many folks were away for the bank holiday.
Then, we took Titsey Hill as our descent to the Pilgrims Way. It’s a wild, and somewhat rough surfaced, descent for such a popular road. I usually warn everyone before beginning this descent that the left turn is easy to miss just as it begins to flatten directly after Titsey Church, which is right on the corner. However, on this occasion I forgot to say this before beginning the downhill, and everyone whizzed past at the bottom, here I stood on the corner, madly waving both arms and shouting at the top of my voice. Everyone came to a stop just a few yards past the turning, except one. My trusty backmarker was not keen to chase him down again, so I rang him and a few minutes later he toddled back towards us- he had realised just round the corner that he must have missed us and had stopped anyway.
Then a few miles of rolling ridge riding along this lovely road, past fields and vineyards. One of my favourite roads in Kent. We stopped on a patch of grass before our last proper climb of the day, Hogtrough Hill and had a cake and water break. I had planned to ride a bit further along the Pilgrims’ Way and come up Sundridge Hill, which is a tougher climb and would take longer to get to. But we were a bit worried about missing lunch in the pub, so up Hogtrough we went, some all the way on the bike, some walking. Then off to Cudham and The Blacksmith’s Arms for lunch in their garden
http://www.theblacksmithsarms.co.uk/
After lunch, just 15 miles back to Ladywell, which includes a real wheeeeee! of a descent on Cudham Hill , followed by one more climb, taking us up to Downe, then up to cross the A233 before heading back down Jackass Lane to West Wickham, quiet roads through Beckenham and Beckenham Place Park. Then alongside the lovely Pool River and the Waterlink Way back to Catford, where Laura bade us farewell, then Ladywell Fields, where the rest of us split to follow our separate ways home.
A great bunch of people, great weather, and beautiful riding. Thanks to all for coming.