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MITCHAM LOOP The first Sunday ride since Pollards Hill Cyclists won the LCC award for Best Community Cycling Initiative and 10 cyclists gathered at the library for a family-friendly ride around the Mitcham Loop. No children this time. The weather was looking very ominous as we headed along Sherwood Park Road and Tamworth Lane before crossing the railway line at Eastfields and taking a cycle/pedestrian path to Cricket Green, home of the world's oldest cricket ground in continual use. We didn't cross Mitcham Common as the recent rain has left it very muddy in places.
A quick detour into Mitcham Garden Village and then to the BedZED eco-village to contemplate the costs and benefits of living in such a complex properties. Following the usual route we headed for Carshalton Ponds for a welcome refreshment break at Honeywood and 'voila' there, waiting for us, was our 11th cyclist who had just missed us leaving Pollards Hill. We were making good time as we meandered along the Wandle Trail - one cyclist left to return to Croydon for lunch - so we were 10 again for our lunch stop at the Garden Centre at Morden Hall - one comment - 'it is pricey' but there were a fair selection of hot dishes, including vegetarian options, plenty of places to sit outside or inside, a lack of crowds and fences to lock the bikes against. Also there is a National Trust shop within the cafe which sells a selection of goodies!
On across Morden Hall Park to Merton Abbey Mills - having had lunch several people decide to leave to do their own thing e.g. 'going to Lidl's', 'following the Wandle trail up to the Thames....' so when we arrived at Merton Abbey Mills just before 2pm there were 6 of us. We listened to a band finish their last song and one cyclist stayed to 'look around' ...so then there were 5!
On along the old railway track up to Myrna close, back across Figges Marsh and then the rain finally caught up with us - but it didn't last long and by the time 4 of us got back to Pollards Hill library the rain had stopped! Pleased to say we didn't loose anyone and no slips, spills or punctures (and the dodgy pedal on Jill's bike lasted the ride!). Out for 4.5 hours, 15 miles. Report by Jill
See some photos from today on Flickr
Sunday 19th November THE SHIP AT MORTLAKE Nine cyclists, keen to take advantage of some Autumn sunshine left Pollards Hill bound for Mortlake, via the Wandle Trail to Wandsworth and then along the Thames Path to The Ship pub at Mortlake.
From the outset, Mitcham Common presented us with a problem - far too much mud had been churned up by contractors, so we could not easily enter from Commonside. On we went to Willow Lane via Cedars Road - a less muddy option!! The leader overlooked the entry point to the Wandle trail just to the West of Goat Lane - indeed, there was a bit of confusion all round, but eventually sense prevailed and we soon turned around to make our way in a northerly direction towards Morden Park, fighting all the usual barrier impediments that the trail presents.
We took straw poll as to where to take refreshment, as we were not that keen on the places by the Thames at Wandsworth. Not only can they be rather expensive, but most of them were closed, or so it appeared .The leader thought he knew better and suggested a spin over Putney Bridge to a couple of cafes there, but one was closed and the other too busy. We therefore decided to press on for an early lunch. The Thames path was extremely busy - almost annoyingly so - and was also quite wet and muddy in parts. People always seem to want to walk five or six abreast - and that's apart from their dogs!!! Quite liked the path just near The Ship where you actually get to cycle through about 4 inches of actual Thames Water - and its free!!
The pub was in a great position but unfortunately, was suffering from poor management - i.e. - there was none!! The menu had about three items on it (all microwaved!), which seemed a poor show for a Sunday (one of the busiest lunchtimes?). Had the "manager" come down from upstairs (where he was doing his paperwork) he might have got an earful!! The place is a potential money spinner - but surely in a "people business" their wishes can't be met unless there is interface with someone who actually cares! A glum local said the new manager did not acknowledge the regulars for about two months after he joined!! Perhaps he was trying to get rid of them...
We departed at 13:40 hrs and made our way to Richmond Park and thence to a flooded Tibbets Corner underpass - but we avoided the water by cycling in part on the raised pavement section. After Princes Way we continued towards Wimbledon Park, ignoring the sign to Southfields - that is except for two of our colleagues who ended up helping a fair maiden ( a cycling one !) find her route map-wise to Putney Heath. They were not missed by the rest of us for a few hundred meters as we were descending sharply to Wimbledon Park. It was only when we got there that we realised some of our flock were missing and, even after a search, the 'birds' had flown, so to speak!! The leader subsequently investigated via email, to learn that they had indeed taken a first left to Southfields instead of the option of continuing straight to the Park (via another sharp left turn at the bottom of Princes Way). Its far too risky being waylaid by damsels!!
On the way back to Merton Abbey Mills we saw some Sustrans volunteers clearing some parts of the Wandle Trail near to Plough Lane. We noticed them by the 2 large flags they had fixed, advertising their presence.
Some four of us went to The Mills, where tea was taken, the rest having peeled off. Total mileage approx 23 miles - out for 6 hours. Report by John.
Sunday 12th November YEW TREE WAY Six riders set off from the Pollards Hill Library in fair but chilly weather for our first try at the Yew Tree Way. We picked up another rider at East Croydon on a two wheeled recumbent. The group saver allowed us a party of 4 and a party of 3 and the fare evened out at £2.50 each. On Sundays the train from East Croydon stops at four stations along the way to Oxted. We picked up another two riders on the train, one with a recumbent trike. The 10th rider had heroically cycled from Woldingham.
Oxted is an attractive town not short of pubs. I think I counted four in the space of about two hundred yards in Old Oxted. Coming from pub-less Pollards Hill you notice these things.
We had gone only a mile when we lost someone after turning left. Oops! I should have mentioned at the start to make sure the person behind has seen you turn. The Yew Tree Way took us through Hurst Green, Holland and Merle Common before we turned off at Honey Pot Lane towards Edenbridge for a pit stop at the Leisure Centre. Odd seeing people swim indoors when you are out on a bike ride.
Leaving Edenbridge we headed south and turned right into the Lingfield Road. Today it was a very quiet road and it made for pleasant cycling. We cycled westward past Haxted Mill on the Surrey Cycleway towards Lingfield Common. The alternative -- to go south and through Lingfield seemed too long considering that we were aiming for the 3.08pm train home and trains are hourly on Sundays. We arrived at the Red Barn at Blindley Heath at 12.25pm, a good time as we were their first customers so didn't have to wait long for meals and we had a large table to ourselves. It is a pub with character -- certainly no lack of talking points from stuffed stag's heads to farming tools. No tacky horse brasses, this was the real deal. The Sunday lunch is £7.50 and other main meals similarly priced. Good value though as the portions are large and quality excellent.
Leaving the pub I foolishly led everyone in the wrong direction towards the A22. Now we know how far away it really is. Anyway it didn't take us long to get back on track in our quest to find the Yew Tree in the name of our ride.
The best way to find something is to ask a local. A lady going in to the churchyard at Crowhurst showed us where the yew tree was and gave us a lot more information besides. It is an impresive tree. Apparently it was hollowed out by locals in 1820. They fitted a door and put a table and chairs inside. However old the tree is, it must have seen a lot of history. It is reckoned to be the oldest tree in Britain, possibly 4,000 years old and is one of The Tree Council's Fifty Great British Trees. One rider took some photos in the churchyard and to reward him for being the ride cameraman, we cycled off without him. Ten minutes later we noticed he was missing. Finding himself on his own he asked a local how to get back to Oxted and managed to beat us to the station. We struggled to get back in time and got on the train with a minute to spare. Being a Sunday only one platform was in use so we had to carry our bikes down and up to the other platform. Good team building exercise.
Four of us pedalled back through Croydon and across Mitcham Common to Pollards Hill. PHC regulars may like to know that new gates have been fitted which do not allow the passage of bikes. The Common should still be accessible though from the bottom of Galpins Road. 23 miles, out for seven hours, all starters finished. A set of eight cycle guides are available covering recommended routes across Surrey. Call 08456 009 009 to request a free copy of the Yew Tree Way leaflet. Report by Jim F.
Saturday 4th November BROCKHAM BONFIRE NIGHT RIDE What an adventure! A late afternoon start for 9 intrepid adventurers and a fairly standard but direct ride to Nonsuch Park where we had a quick stop, just in time before the cafe closed. As we moved off towards Epsom Downs, the sun started to set. By the time we reached Langley Vale, it was dark. Night time isn't a problem in the city and other built up areas but night time on unlit country roads with tree cover is DARK! We resolved to ride slowly together as one unit and if one person wanted to walk up a hill, then we all had to walk.
I've never led a ride in the pitch black before. I couldn't tell who was behind me but I knew there was a bike there. The back marker had the brightest front light plus a bright headlamp so I could always tell how fast or slow we need to go to avoid getting spread out. I'd attached a torch to my panniers to assist in lighting the road. When motorists approach from the opposite direction with their lights on full beam, it becomes impossible to gauge the edge of the road. Despite the difficulties, we were perfectly safe. Both leader and back marker wore reflective clothing and we were lit up like a mobile Christmas tree.
After a couple of miles of unlit road, we reached our meal stop, the Hand in Hand at Box Hill. Most pubs near Brockham were very busy and couldn't accommodate such a large group for an early meal but no one had thought of venturing up here. The food was patchy but cheap for a country pub. We just ate and then carried on.
The steep descent off Box Hill required some care and attention. The volume of traffic helped to light the road and any descent is easier than a climb. As soon as we hit the lanes we came across the car parks which signalled the start of the road closures and the end of the road for motorised vehicles. Although there were thousands making their way to the bonfire, we were able to weave in and out and get there a bit quicker.
We opted to stay at the edge of the green for a quick getaway. The bonfire was about to be lit although that entailed several minutes of amplified self-importance from a commentator. Then the build up to the fireworks. It was claimed that this is the largest display in the UK. Could that be true? A small village south of Dorking with two pubs, a village shop and a church? Possibly. With an attendance of 10,000+ and £40,000 worth of fireworks, I felt it could well be true. And all for a £2.00 donation on the way in.
Everyone agreed the display was spectacular. We weren't quite so military-quick on the getaway but no problem because we were out on the A25 in minutes, despite the crowds. After that, it was a couple of miles to the railway station at Dorking and back to Mitcham Junction for 10pm. Out for 7hrs 30m, 23 miles. See some photos from today on Flickr
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