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BOXING DAY RIDE Last year we joined the Southwark Cyclist's Christmas Day ride but this year decided to offer our own Boxing Day ride as a great opportunity to get out the house and work the chocolate off. It wasn't easy to plot a route because although pubs are open, cafes were generally closed. I chose to head for the Wattenden Arms near Kenley Aerodrome because we could coast along the main roads to get home quickly.
8 people turned up but during a last minute bit of tyre pumping, another 4 appeared. However, all 4 additions had peeled off before we got to Carshalton. I varied the route a little bit, using different parts of the Wandle Trail, before heading east into Beddington Park and onto the Waddon branch of the Wandle Trail. A puncture cost us a bit of time so we short-cutted along the ridiculous contraflow cycle lane by the old Paynes Poppet's factory site. Never use this lane - it just ends abruptly leaving you in the gutter on the wrong side of the road!
I knew the Purley Way garden centre cafe was closed but was pretty sure McDonalds up the road would be open. Wrong. The entire Colonnades site was closed and the hotel claimed to not have a toilet. Instead, we pushed on towards the recently resurfaced Haling Grove bridleway before dropping down to the A23.
The hill up to Riddlesdown took less casualties than normal but it's worth the climb because you get great rural views and there's a fast stony descent back down to the main road. Normally, we'd cross over the railway by carrying bikes over the footbridge. I didn't fancy it this time but the Whyteleafe roundabout seemed to be further than I'd remembered it, leaving us on the busy A22 without a cycle lane. As soon as we turned off, it was all country lanes and minimal traffic. Salmon's Lane isn't as bad a hill as some had suggested with only one person walking and that took us right back up to the top of the valley, leaving a smooth ride past the aerodrome to the pub.
You can't go too wrong at the Wattenden Arms. Some cheap food on the menu and it's down-to-earth enough for our multi-coloured winter wear to not attract too much attention. Bikes tied up in the beer garden.
As there's nowhere else open to stop, we sailed down Old Lodge Lane and a slight tailwind blew us along the main road cycle lanes into Croydon where we returned to the Wandle Trail into Beddington Park and home along the Sewer Path. Out for 5.5hrs, 26 miles. See some photos from today on Flickr
Sunday 17th December WOLDINGHAM LANES Although this was a hastily arranged last-minute ride, we still had 8 people at East Croydon and another 3 waiting at Woldingham for a crisp winter's day ride around the lanes. Taking a train to Woldingham gives you a great headstart and gets you right out into the rural areas. Unfortunately, when I mapped the route out, I wasn't really familiar with the lane out of Woldingham station but I thought it would just be a gentle traffic-free rise. Turns out it was the most brutal hill we've ever been up! Everybody bar one walked up and the route got a bit muddy at the top. To add insult to injury, two punctures were sustained on the way up.
Once out on top of the North Downs, everyone stopped for a breather in a layby to admire the great views. It was 11:30 by the time we trundled into Beaver Water World, a little-known reptile zoo with a basic cafe. One rider with good local knowledge suggested a shortcut near Biggin Hill. Near the bottom of Berry's Green Road there is a footpath which goes to the left and past Homeleigh Farm to the junction of Jail Lane and Single Street. It is a narrow, tarmac path, regularly used by cyclists. The big advantage of it is that it cuts out a steep incline. As we were behind schedule, a vote was taken on whether we should lunch at the Old Jail but it was decided we should press on towards the Harvester (slow service, no beers on pumps) in Addington Village.
Jewel's Hill defeated a few riders and there was confusion at the top where one rider was nearly mislaid but we were soon on the long descent of Featherbed Lane and along the cycle track to the pub. Lunch was reasonably priced with the added bonus of unlimited salad. Good job too because straight after lunch was the tough climb up Spout Hill. It only takes a minute longer to walk up than it does to ride.
People peeled off on the way home but 5 ventured all the way back to Pollards Hill. Out for 6hrs, 23 miles. See some photos from today on Flickr
Sunday 10th December CHRISTMAS LUNCH RIDE 10 people gathered at Pollards Hill for the ride to Richmond for Christmas lunch with other local cyling groups. The ride plan was largely in the head of the leader who had ridden to Richmond Park numerous times but never leading a group! So along Wide Way to Eastfields level crossing, through side streets to Mitcham town centre - around Vestry Hall, through to Dean City Farm and following cycle routes we were soon in Raynes Park. Taking the cycle route parallel to the north bound A3 to keep the ride flat, we entered Richmond Park via Robin Hood gate. Richmond Park never disappoints - the good weather and the deer with their young fawns reminded us of how this park really is the best park in Greater London!
We'd made good time so were able to have elevenses by the ponds - before heading off for Sheen Gate and the windey side roads that pass Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall's one time abode and East Sheen Lawn tennis club - then along Upper Richmond road to arrive at the pub just before it opened. The Thames was also looking calm and beautiful. As we were the first group of cyclists to arrive and order our food, we had good seats upstairs. The room did fill up quickly but with many unknown faces. Richard - from the Merton group wondered where our intrepid leader / organiser was ...Cardiff - why Cardiff?!!
We left at 1.30, travelled back via Wimbledon Park - people peeled off but 2 made it back to Pollards Hill - out for approx 5hrs - covered approx 28 miles.
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