Meeting Place : 09:30 Bromley South Station Forecourt

The meeting time allows folk to get the train from Catford , Crofton Park et al and be in time for the start - their train will arrive at Bromley South at around 09:14

Overall Distance : 44 Miles

3093 Feet of Ascent & Descent

We will leave suburbia fairly rapidly ...around 4 miles from the start we get to Keston...where leafy lanes take over .. then drop down into the old hamlet of Nash ...after which we press on to Keston Church ...after this the ride proceeds to the village of Downe - and ascends uphill till we pass by Charles Darwin's house .

On we will press to Knockholt and thence to Halstead..before crossing the M25 and to Eynsford via Shoreham . At Eynsford anyone who has run out of steam can get the train back to Bromley , Catford etc.

For those with energy left we will climb up the astonishingly beautiful Knatts Valley , before heading North to Horton Kirby for lunch at one of it's two pubs .After Lunch it's back through Eynsford again via the remarkably unspoiled Farningham village ...and up over Crockenhill ...before dropping down into Chelsfield . The last 3 miles or so are prospectively going to be along the A21 - which provides a swift route into Bromley ...or we could try and find a quieter route through the back doubles if ayone feels strongly enough about it .

So ...mostly lanes ..some main roads ...a chance to see some very pleasing places ...but there are quite a few hills ...albeit the last few miles are mostly downhill

It may be possible to drop into Eynsford Castle on the homeward leg - it is free

Report

6 people at Bromley Station, Bill & Ibrahim, looking fresh from the Dunwich Dynamo and Andrew, Katie, Sue and Ian, fresh from their cycle from London to Oxford last week.

Today's ride.. a fairly hilly 44 miles through the hidden lanes of Bromley and beyond. With 3000 feet of climbing to look forward to, we took the ride at a fairly leisurely pace. The group departed from Bromley dead on 9.30am. Through the lanes of Hayes, we were very quickly into rural Kent and the villages of Nash & Keston. Climbing steadily to Downe the group stopped for a quick breather at the newly refurbished benches at Downe roundabout. On we cycled to Cudham, past (& through the garden of) Charles Darwin's house.

We made our way to the hill at Cudham, a short well known 25% climb. We didn't do the full climb rather then approach from the west, so only half the climb to do. All managed to get to the top except one person.. who shall remain nameless (right Andrew?). On to Knockholt, 12 club cyclists very quickly passed our merry band, waves and hellos emanating from both camps. More steady climbing through the villages of Halstead and Shoreham and the group were rewarded with some stunning views (and smells) of the blue Lavender fields. A quick stop to grasp a handful of Lavender to adorn our bikes and we were on our way. It wasn't long until we reached the village of Eynsford. with it's Fjord, proving to be irresistible to Bill who went through fjord 3 times, the third time at the behest and joy of a small child who was in fits of giggles. (and to be honest...we where too)

The group (including a soggy Bill) pushed on to the pretty village of Farningham, including a quick stop at the memorial to the fallen Spitfire Pilot. At Farningham Andrew discovered he had a slow puncture. With a top up of CO2 he decided that it would last the last couple of miles to Horton Kirby. And so it did. Our lunch stop at Horton Kirby was at the Fighting Cocks pub. The establishment has new owners and will be undergoing a complete refurbishment. The garden of the pub is huge, set in sprawling lawns with the River Darenth running along the end of the garden. A lunch of very fresh Baguettes (2 for Andrew of course) of various fillings, soft drinks and a few beers were enjoyed. With 5 or 6 wasps taking great interest in Katies Diet Coke (much mad arm waving & discussing whether to arm wave or just ignore) the group decided it was time to move on.

The post lunch ride started with a long, steady but not too steep climb of 5 miles to the top of the Darenth valley just outside of the perimeter of Brands Hatch, the cacophony and noise of The World Superbikes ringing in our ears. Through West Kingsdown and Knockmill we descended into the Knatts Valley. Every time we go through this valley, it never ceases to amaze with its beauty and stunning views. Hard to believe it's so close to the outskirts of Greater London. Back to Eynsford we rode and Bill decided to break off from the ride and catch a train back into town. Thanks for coming Bill, see you again soon.

As this ride was in essence a figure of eight route, we once again travelled through the village of Farningham. Some more climbing and we were once again rewarded with great views back over Eynsford and the Darenth valley. we were soon over the M25 and into the village of Crockenhill. Up and down through the lanes to Chelsfied, the group were stopped in their tracks by a heavy 5 minute downpour. Sheltering under the trees, it wasn't long until we were moving again. After a quick cup of tea (2 for Andrew of course) at Ian's house which was conveniently on the route, the group decided that instead of heading straight back to Bromley, Sue, Katie and Ibrahim would travel through Orpington and Chislehurst to get back to town. Ibrahim home, Katie and Sue to Greenwich for liquicd refreshments. Ian and Andrew tagged along to put a few more miles of tarmac under our belts and to enjoy a couple of pints at the Crown public house in Bromley. All in all a very pleasant ride, some steady climbing, some quick descents and some stunning views.

Thanks all for coming along.