A ride we last did back in April 2007 when it also flaunted itself as “Bluebell Madness” – no bluebells this time, maybe a little madness - we’ll have to see.

If you want to check out last year’s ride, look in the 2007 gallery or try clicking here:

So, to this year:

A ride over the North Downs down some quiet country lanes and, after a stiff climb, a rather nice pub. Don’t say you don’t get some reward for a (moderate) bit of suffering on Lewisham rides.

We’ll start off with a sociable pootle down the Waterlink Way, then head over the North Downs to the halfway point somewhere near Otford – folk can take the train back from here if they like (check yourself about engineering works) though you will have to ride at a reasonable pace as the rest of us will need to get back. Our rides aren’t overly fast though.

50 miles total

Please note that this ride contains a fair amount of climbing though we will wait for everyone and you will be rewarded by lots of downhills. Most of the serious climbing is before lunch and the ride starts and ends with a fair amount of gentle pootling.

Suitable for any bike – the return through Beckenham Place Park may prove a bit tricky for a full-on racer but you could always carry on down the main road from Bromley to Lewisham.

On the return run we’ll pass Bromley South railway station if that helps anyone.

Meet Cutty Sark Gardens at 09:30, Ladywell Fields at 10:00 for prompt departure.

A Lewisham Cyclists/LCC ride

More info from Paul: 07957 209322. NO TEXTS PLEASE

If you know my personal email, feel free to use that

Report

Down through a stream of water in Forest Hill to the meeting point at Cutty Sark Gardens. Yet another Thames Water leak I suppose – no truth in rumours that the company is sponsoring and laying on facilities for the 2012 water slalom in Forest Hill. 

After a touch of speed hit Cutty Sark Gardens a bit early to find no-one there, but Rosanna emerged from the foot-tunnel and by the time we had got to Ladywell Fields there were eight of us. 

Tootled down the Waterlink Way, through Beckenham Place Park where we pooled resources to lash Rosanna’s loose pannier to her bike, then on to West Wickham and the glorious lanes beyond. 

Tempted to stop at Christmas Tree Farm for a drink and natter but keen to get to the pub on time, and you never know what mechanicals will hit - Rosanna’s bike had already dropped a chain into the wheel (surprisingly no damage) so we climbed on. Paused in Downe where we normally see the Paragon racing down (a late start meant we’d seen them earlier in their best strip) then up the infamous 25 per cent climb at Cudham. 

Past Fort Halstead – brainstorming base which apparently devised a plan to bury nuclear devices warmed by nesting chickens in cold war Germany – the mind boggles at what we might have fired off if we’d got into the space race – then to a fairly secret way under the M25. So secret we found it fenced off but that never stopped us so we found a way round and, dodging the debris, came out the other side into real countryside. 

After Otford we climbed and climbed and climbed to the real state secret – the lunch stop. Good decent food (steak and kidney pie and chips for £4 anyone? – yes please) and beer and a rather nice large beer garden at the back where we sat and nattered about I’m not sure what – seem to remember Gordon Brown, legless musicians, relative merits of various bands etc. 

Would have been happy to sit all afternoon but Stuart had to head off to a wedding reception (Rosanna has your bungee Stuart) and we had more pedalling to do.  

A quick dip into a mini valley after lunch meant a rather unwelcome climb but then we flew down to Shoreham (watch those brakes) where Jan took the train back. 

Out of Shoreham I was ticked off by Jane for choosing a relatively gently climbing road back – seems I have some sort of reputation to maintain for hill climbs. Not entirely deserved your honour, honest. 

Into Bromley where Ibrahim and Jane split, the rest of us returned via Beckenham Place Park – didn’t manage to spot any of its horde of parakeets but definitely heard them. 

No serious problems though Rosanna’s repeated chain problems forced her to walk up a fair few hills, though she she seemed little slower than those pedalling. 

Thanks to everyone for coming. A good ride and (maybe just as important) a good pub – will definitely return. 

Paul