We’ll make the most of the light by starting fairly early and avoiding trains. It’s not yet really winter so come out and enjoy the still-remaining autumn colours on the North Downs.

If we’re making good time and the group is agreeable we’ll pause after about 18 miles for a coffee in a decent cafe, then head on to ride on top of the North Downs ridge before dropping down into Oxted for a pub lunch.

It’s about 26 miles to Oxted and folk wanting to cut the ride short or avoid the steeper climb back over the North Downs can leave here. If planning to do that, please note that you will still have to ride at a reasonable (but not killing) pace in order to let everyone doing the full ride finish in daylight.

After lunch, a steep but short climb back over the North Downs, some nice long downhill runs through country lanes and we’ll return to Greenwich via the Waterlink Way.

Suitable for any bike.

Bring lights of course.

Report

Arrived at Cutty Sark Gardens at usual last-gasp just before 9 – found Maya who had called in advance with lots of reasonable questions. Her first time.

Jane turned up a while later and after a ten minute wait and Maya worrying slightly that we were a bit too pro-cycling looking we set off. Disappointing turnout – see more on this at the end.

Through Deptford, worked our way up the northern end of Brookmill Road (still mysteriously closed after what seems like months, no signs of activity on the roadworks or digging front, they may as well grass it over), up the gloriously named Friendly Street, through Brockley and towards Forest Hill.

Maya had pretty much said that she would only be going as far as Oxted, missing the tough climb back, so since she also seemed to be keen on hidden local sights and a convert to south east London (as I am) we climbed up part of Forest Hill’s notorious Canonbie Road so that we could cruise down Ringmore Rise (both "enjoyed" on our Peaks of Lewisham ride) and see London open up below us.

Up over Crystal Palace, through Croydon, past the RAF graves near Kenley, then to the cafe for a promised stop near Caterham. Except it was closed – bad research. No great problem; Oxted wasn’t that far away.

Climbed gradually past the school near Woldingham that always seems to occupy its own private valley, then a stiff but oblique climb up on to the top of the North Downs. The autumn colours were still just about holding despite some stiff rain earlier in the week. Along the top, then a precipitous descent into Oxted. Done. Jane pointed out to Maya that we usually find rather nicer pubs than the Weatherspoons at Oxted. Very true, but it was cheap and handy for a short winter’s-day ride, especially as I’d anticipated a few folk wanting to pop to the station next door to get a train back.

Maya went for the train, assuring us she’ll be back once she gets a new bike. Hope to see her again – she did well - no great problems – there’s more of us as it gets warmer – honest – gave her one of Lewisham’s new cards with web site reference  - home to reports of busy rides and pics of smiling (except when under severe climbing load) riders and pub beer garden lounging.

A quick lunch and Jane and I peddled back – both made it up White Lane without getting off though admittedly a bit of a lie down was needed at the top – Jane got there first and some rather nice drivers apparently stopped to ask if she was OK.

After the climb, the way back actually has lots of wonderful extended down hills – very easy – and it’s also a far greener route.

We made such good time that I think we were both back by 4 – definitely before dark. One of the many advantages of winter rides (there are some) – an early return for your evenings of study, furniture polishing, debauchery or whatever. Other advantages – often actually more cycle-friendly weather than the 30-plus temperatures we seem to be hitting in recent summers, wonderful blue skies rather than grey fug, different colours. As long as it’s dry, which it usually is bar the occasional shower, conditions are fine.

Hope to see some more of you on the next Lewisham ride or I’ll be looking for a collection of jaded pasty-looking porkers turning up to our first Brighton ride of the spring.

Paul