Well, the weather forecast was pretty good, even promising a bit of sun, and it’s been reliable lately. So, I did not cancel this ride, even though this was our hilly, harder one of the month.
7 hardy souls turned up , a bit less than the crowd we get for the cafes canals and parks type London based rides we also do. You lot will have to do better than that when warmer weather comes!
We headed up our first climb of the day (and the easiest), Farthing Down, beautiful as ever, but it’s fine views obscured by very low cloud. Down through Chaldon, a lovely windy wheeeeeeee descent down Hilltop lane, then back up again. Over the M25 to Bletchingly, then we took Rabies Heath Rd down to some delightfully quiet, if rough and ready, tiny lanes that weave and wind through Surrey and Kent, passing tiny hamlets of ancient cottages and churches, with an atmosphere of isolation that makes you forget you are only around 20 miles or so out of London.
We then had to get up on to the ridge of the Downs, so another climb. There are so many around here I often get my Titseys confused with my Tatsfield’s but this one today was Gangers. It has a particularly steep bit in the middle. As we climbed, the temperature dropped and it started to snow. Forget that weather forecast. We were flung back into the unforgiving arms of winter completely.
We headed up our first climb of the day (and the easiest), Farthing Down, beautiful as ever, but it’s fine views obscured by very low cloud. Down through Chaldon, a lovely windy wheeeeeeee descent down Hilltop lane, then back up again. Over the M25 to Bletchingly, then we took Rabies Heath Rd down to some delightfully quiet, if rough and ready, tiny lanes that weave and wind through Surrey and Kent, passing tiny hamlets of ancient cottages and churches, with an atmosphere of isolation that makes you forget you are only around 20 miles or so out of London.
We then had to get up on to the ridge of the Downs, so another climb. There are so many around here I often get my Titseys confused with my Tatsfield’s but this one today was Gangers. It has a particularly steep bit in the middle. As we climbed, the temperature dropped and it started to snow. Forget that weather forecast. We were flung back into the unforgiving arms of winter completely.
Once at the top, it’s an easy glide long down to a lovely section of the Pilgrim’s Way.
The snow had got heavier and was beginning to settle. The descent was fast and steep, and I had forgotten to zip up my jacket after the ascent. However, I wasn’t as cold as one of our party, who, at this point decided she was just too chilled to carry on. None of us had been expecting this weather, and it was her feet and hands that were the problem. Hard to enjoy a ride when your toes and fingers are in pain. We took a quick detour to Oxted, to pop her on the train home, and after some hot drinks and food, the rest of us got back on the road.
The picture above captures the spirit of the ride, despite the cold, ice and snow, absolutely. Great fun. And how I appreciated that hot, ht bath when I got home.
The Pilgrims Way is another scenic glide through Kent, but then of course you have to get back up that hill! Sundridge was my choice, not the easiest of the gang of three climbs on this bit of the Way, but it gives you more of a ride on the PW. And then spits you out near Shelley’s Hill which is a lovely little roller coaster, with a short steep descent from which you can view the short steep ascent, appearing to be a vertical climb looming up ahead of you. It’s actually, not that bad and if you hit a good speed going down, the momentum can carry you almost to the top of the ascent, without much effort at all.
Then a descent of Cudham Rd which is truly exhilarating, especially with the road resurfaced, pothole free and no nasty bends. My face felt absolutely frozen at the bottom!
One last ascent, then Downe and finally the home run. A final descent, and, abruptly, the countryside disappears, and you are back in suburbia, West Wickham, to be precise. An easy trundle back to Central London from here, with members of the group dropping off at various points, some to take the train, so desperate were they for a hot bath! Three of us wound our way back through Beckenham, where I couldn’t resist dragging them down what must be some of the most potholed roads in the capital. Then through the park and down the Waterlink Way to Ladywell Fields where we finally drifted off on our separate ways home.
The snow had got heavier and was beginning to settle. The descent was fast and steep, and I had forgotten to zip up my jacket after the ascent. However, I wasn’t as cold as one of our party, who, at this point decided she was just too chilled to carry on. None of us had been expecting this weather, and it was her feet and hands that were the problem. Hard to enjoy a ride when your toes and fingers are in pain. We took a quick detour to Oxted, to pop her on the train home, and after some hot drinks and food, the rest of us got back on the road.
The picture above captures the spirit of the ride, despite the cold, ice and snow, absolutely. Great fun. And how I appreciated that hot, ht bath when I got home.The Pilgrims Way is another scenic glide through Kent, but then of course you have to get back up that hill! Sundridge was my choice, not the easiest of the gang of three climbs on this bit of the Way, but it gives you more of a ride on the PW. And then spits you out near Shelley’s Hill which is a lovely little roller coaster, with a short steep descent from which you can view the short steep ascent, appearing to be a vertical climb looming up ahead of you. It’s actually, not that bad and if you hit a good speed going down, the momentum can carry you almost to the top of the ascent, without much effort at all.
Then a descent of Cudham Rd which is truly exhilarating, especially with the road resurfaced, pothole free and no nasty bends. My face felt absolutely frozen at the bottom!
One last ascent, then Downe and finally the home run. A final descent, and, abruptly, the countryside disappears, and you are back in suburbia, West Wickham, to be precise. An easy trundle back to Central London from here, with members of the group dropping off at various points, some to take the train, so desperate were they for a hot bath! Three of us wound our way back through Beckenham, where I couldn’t resist dragging them down what must be some of the most potholed roads in the capital. Then through the park and down the Waterlink Way to Ladywell Fields where we finally drifted off on our separate ways home.
I had a great day, and thanks to everyone who came along- I know I always say it, but it’s true- a great bunch of people.