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HEADLEY 8 riders at the library on this wonderfully sunny day. But something odd - no new faces and all male. I checked our records and that's never happened before with that amount of people out. Normally it's a very balanced mix but of course, not a problem. We set off over Mitcham Common where Seven Islands Pond looked lovely. The water level has dropped drastically in the last few years and it will dry up soon so we have to enjoy it while we can.

On the way to the Wandle Trail it occurred to me that we often pass BedZed without popping in and invariably there will be at least one person who didn't know that the largest eco village in the UK is on our doorstep. So we did a quick lap before moving on to Sutton via the newly green Carshalton ponds but not before popping out of the Trail in the middle of a police roadblock!. Then it was through Sutton town centre and along quiet residential streets to Cheam where we passed the wooden houses on the way into Nonsuch Park, site of Henry VIII's former palace which has long gone.

After a picnic and Italian ice cream under a tree in the shade we headed for the long bridleway behind Nescot which passes over the A240 and then over The Green, a delightful road that looks as if it is stuck in 1950. Instead of the tiring Chalk Lane incline we decided to try out Rifle Butts Alley, a long urban bridleway that leads to the Downs. It climbed steadily on a soft woodchip surface and by the time it had increased it's incline and started taking it's toll on everyone we realised we were right by the Epsom racecourse grandstand and at the top of the climb. Much easier.

For the first time on a PHC ride we actually rode over the Downs. The old Walton Road has virtually disappeared and is now represented by a faint track on the grass. I nearly missed it. It hurtles downhill on the grass until you hit the gate at the bottom of the dead-end Ebbisham Lane. The surface has deteriorated through lack of maintenance as it is essentially shut to traffic. It's a horrible climb to the top before we freewheeled along Hurst Lane, under the motorway and along to the village tearooms at Headley.

There's little to choose from on the menu but the standard of food is extremely high and very reasonably priced. The attached village store sold locally produced fruit juices for 90p a bottle. And ice cream.

To avoid a climb, I changed the route back. Our lunch stops are always over halfway round and we like to get any hill climbing out of the way early on. None of us fancied a serious climb after lunch so we took an untried bridleway called Tye Lane that turned out to be quite an exhilarating ride, very steep sides, nicely downhill and bone dry surface but it was definitely one to be avoided if it has been raining prior to the ride. It was weird to find ourselves over the deafening M25 so quickly after the tranquillity of Queens Wood. Another little detour to try and find the Walton Postmill (not there or well hidden) saw us heading back towards Walton On The Hill where I checked out the pubs for future destinations. Most were too expensive but then we stumbled on Café Chocolat opposite Mere pond which is a definite for our next venture out that way.

A puncture was swiftly fixed using a spare PHC tube. We rode through Banstead and along Woodmansterne Lane with its glimpses of hazy London 15 miles distant to the fantastic village sign carved from the fallen 130 year old cedar tree. The rear has been recently carved with animals and a bench and everyone always enjoys stopping to take a look. We skipped Oaks Park in favour of Beddington Park's cakes but another puncture meant it was shut by the time we arrived at 5pm. That just left the rough cycle track alongside the sewage farm and Mitcham Common before we were back at Pollards Hill.

The detours added a surprising 6.5 miles to the total making it a 34.5 mile ride. Normally I'd square that with everyone before adding so many miles but it took me by surprise. Out for 8hrs.

See some photos from today on Flickr

Thursday 8th June

DRAGON BOATS AT WIMBLEDON Our first evening ride of the summer saw 5 riders enjoying the very easy, flat route from Pollards Hill to Myrna Close Nature Reserve and along the traffic-free Wandle Trail to Earlsfield where we picked up the London Cycle Network route straight into Wimbledon Park for the Anthony Nolan Trust Dragon Boat racing. We'd missed the heats but saw 4 teams battle it out in the final. Fantastic weather for an evening ride, great route, bar and cake stall at the event and back before it was dark. Perfect! 15 miles, out for 2.5 hours.

See some more photos from today on Flickr

Sunday 4th June

CAPITAL RING On a sunny morning, six riders (inc 4 new faces) set off from the Library to ride part of the Capital Ring Route as far as Richmond Park and incorporate visits to Norwood Grove, Tooting and Wandsworth Commons and Wimbledon Park. The official guide to the 78 mile inner London walk states that it is not intended for cyclists. This is clearly nonsense as we demonstrated today by following the route without having to ride illegally.

After a pleasant run through Norbury Park we encountered Gibson's Hill, with its steep unmade surface that took its toll on most (though not all) of us. Loose surfaces with giant gravel can be dangerous at the best of times - ah well, at least such roads keep most cars at bay. Norwood Grove is a delight, a secluded manor house sat amongst beautiful grounds high on a hill overlooking South London.

After negotiating the descent alongside Streatham Common to Streatham High Road it was interesting to follow the Capital Ring Route to the west of the high road and to see the Streatham Pumping Station (built 1888) in all its glory. After a brief photo shoot there, we decided on a change of elevenses from Tooting Bec Common cafe to that on Wandsworth Common. The later was very pleasant and (judging by the "crowd" there) the place to be on a Sunday morning. This was quite surprising considering their prices - £1.90 for a filter coffee and £1.95 for what was supposed to be a slice of cake!

We resisted the temptation to join those inside Wandsworth prison, which we passed on our way to Wimbledon Park, which was already busy with locals either sun-tanning themselves or playing cricket.

The thought of an Italian ice-cream (a bargain at £1.10) at Wimbledon Common must have spurred us on to climb the short sharp hill from Wimbledon Park via Princes Way to Inner Park Road possibly quicker than usual.

After Wimbledon Common's windmill had been spotted and ice-cream consumed, we rode along Windmill Road across the common and then down to Beverley Meads, prior to arriving at the A3 by Robin Wood Gate to enter Richmond Park. Care had to be exercised on this busy and sunny Sunday in the descent from the top to the bottom of Wimbledon Common by the A3 as the route was being heavily used by other cyclists and dog walkers.

After a careful traverse of the A3 we made the gentle ascent from Robin Hood Gate to Pembroke Lodge, but not before a quick visit to Pen Ponds and to briefly assist (by way of a plaster from our First Aid kit) a little girl who had taken a nasty tumble from her bicycle whilst out with her family. Pembroke Lodge, our lunch stop, was extremely busy and all present agreed that it was a blessing we were not trying to park cars in the already congested car park. We enjoyed excellent views to the west of Richmond Park whilst eating our £2.99 sandwiches or rather more expensive hot lunches ­ minimum £6.50. We made quick progress on leaving through New Malden and Raynes Park, so much so that we decided on a quick refreshment stop at Abbey Mills in Merton where a few of us wandered around the outdoor/indoor market. From there, back by Myrna Close nature reserve and Figges Marsh to our original meeting point at the Library in Pollards Hill. Out for 7 hrs, 26 miles.

See some photos from today on Flickr

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