We’re off to Eynsford, meeting up with Pollards Hill Cyclists in Downe, and then to cycling together to a pub lunch in Eynsford. After lunch, Lewisham and Pollards Hill will take separate routes back.

Pace on this ride will be more moderate than some of our rides as we are riding with other folk, and it will feature that old favourite, Cudham’s 25 per cent hill. But it is short and we’ll wait for everyone. Not a particularly difficult ride apart from that.

Pace back may well be faster.

Suitable for all bikes.

Total distance approximately 45 miles. Meet Cutty Sark Gardens 8:45. Ladywell Fields at 9:15 for a prompt departure. If you want to do half of the ride, you can take a train back from Eynsford but if planning to do this please check that there are no engineering works. More info from Paul: 07957 209322 – NO TEXTS If you know my email address, feel free to email me.

Report

photos

A disappointing turn-out for the Lewisham bunch on this ride – four of us in total, though it later emerged that my pretty prompt departure from Greenwich had left someone behind lost amongst the Facebook crowd who had decided to congregate on our favourite benches. 

After lunch we left the substantial Pollards Hill team and returned swiftly through the suburbs – rural as it is, Eynsford is surprisingly close to London. 

Thanks to Mark from Pollards Hill for a great route there. His report is below, complete with links to pictures. 

You can find more on Pollards Hill Cyclists at: 

www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk/ 

Do check them out. 

Over to Mark for his report: 

Today was a joint ride with Lewisham Cyclists and we had a tight rendezvous at Christmas Tree Farm in Downe. I chose a fairly direct route up and over Gravel Hill in Croydon and along the so-called Mad Mile on the cycle path towards Coney Hall. A serious looking swarm of cyclists came down Corkscrew Hill and I secretly hoped that wasn't our riding companions for the day as they'd leave us for dead. 

Fortunately, it wasn't. We bumped into the 3 Lewisham Cyclists a couple of miles later, rising from Jackass Lane's steep finale and rode together to the farm. PHC turned out a total of 14 and Lewisham raised 4 riders. We didn't expect numbers to be so weighted in our favour as Lewisham often equal our attendances. But that doesn't matter - it's not a competition. 

The 25% climb at Cudham claimed several victims; one fall, a slipped chain and a puncture. We rested outside the church whilst the puncture was fixed, watching serious-looking club cyclists struggling up the mini mountain. The ride really kicks in at this point. Although Downe is quite rural, the lanes just after Cudham would lead you to believe you're in the middle of nowhere. You certainly wouldn't think you were still inside the M25! 

The climbs were harsh but that's to be expected on a PHC+ ride. A descent into Pratts Bottom and over the busy A21 is countered by the steep Chelsfield Hill but at least that takes you straight back into rural countryside. Skibbs Lane was closed according to a road sign but a local said that was simply to deter parking. Not so, a lorryload of tree waste had been dumped right in the middle of the lane. There are glimpses of great London views off to your left and after a while, the road becomes unfenced, drawing you directly into the landscape. It really is beautiful in this forgotten area. 

The welcome descent into Eynsford ends at the village ford. Only our intrepid tricyclist dared to cross the Darent and ended up with wet feet and river dripping out of the bottom bracket. The Castle pub was expecting us. I'd been there a few weeks earlier and was shown the menu for our return but that was a mistake as they only offer roasts on a Sunday. However, a choice of 4 different roasts, good starters and desserts made up for the absence of the jacket potatoes. We'd made good time so we enjoyed a leisurely lunch stop. 

Lewisham Cyclists bade farewell as we left the pub. We crossed over the road to visit the castle ruins and felt a few drops of rain. As soon as waterproofs were on, the heavens opened and soaked us for just 10 minutes. The energetic climb to Well Hill soon had us warmed up and dried out. 

An afternoon puncture gave me chance to ride ahead and inspect the bridleway across the northern part of the Holwood House estate. I thought it was ok but skinnier tyres were slipping on ground softened by the rain so we slipped out onto the exclusive Keston Park development and admired the grand houses. 

One of the advantages of the PHC+ rides is that it's no problem to ride out and back on busy A roads. The wide cycle path on the A232 doesn't manage to stay the full course but it took us swiftly into Croydon where 3 of us opted for a town centre coffee stop whilst the rest wisely continued home before the rain caught back up with us.

photos