Meet: Cutty Sark Gardens 09:00 map and Ladywell Fields 09:30 prompt map

Distance: 70 miles max with 35 miles option

Phone: Paul - 07957 209 322

A ride over the North Downs to Sevenoaks and its deer park. A bit of gradual climbing on the way there, one steep hill on the way back. Suitable for any bike. Start building your stamina for the (flat) Dunwich Dynamo now.
Opportunity to take train back at Sevenoaks if you don't want to do the full day. Pub lunch - planned picnic will have to wait for drier weather.

Report

Seven of us met at Cutty Sark Gardens with another two picked up at Ladywell Fields. We took the usual meandering route down the Waterlink Way. Usual trouble getting over the road at Bell Green where all but the kindest cars refuse to stop. Some form of controlled crossing would seem to be a good idea, though there is a small traffic island.

We went as far as Kent House before cutting off through backstreets to West Wickham, gateway to the countryside. Climbed past the police dog training place (I'm sure this must have featured in Blue Peters of old) then perversely dropped down Hesiers Hill so that we could do a long drawn out climb up Beddlestead Lane to the North Downs. Nice route though and maximises the time away from traffic.

Flew down the ridge of the North Downs then a sharp left on to the Pilgrims Way. A wonderful cycling route, though it isn't continuous as a road.
Eventually we hit the edge of the Chevening Estate which I believe is traditionally home to British Foreign secretaries. Later we passed the dead end public road going to Chevening Church. Must check it out sometime - maybe I'll be rewarded with the sight of a Foreign Sec thrashing themselves in penance. Er, probably not.

So on we went, running parallel to the M25, ignoring the first of many signs to Sevenoaks, our rumoured destination. Through Otford to rejoin part of the Pilgrims Way, then down to Seal - several decent looking pubs but none do food on a Saturday so on round the back of Knole Park through Godden Green where some were pining for lunch and the mysteriously elusive Sevenoaks.
Steady climb followed by the reward of a steep and long downhill to Underriver for lunch at the pub in the middle of the village.

Impressive range of beers and decent food. We sat outside admiring the view but when it started to rain we were kindly ushered round the back to a wedding marquee. We couldn't quite decide whether the wedding was about to happen, had happened, had been called off, or they were between shifts but it was good of them to let us shelter. Only odd point was when we asked them to fill our water bottles (usually no problem in a pub if you've bought
something) and they directed us to a tap outside. No ill effects though.

The rain that was supposed to sprinkle us until 3 (hence cancellation of planned picnic) and then clear to leave us a glorious afternoon now actually started as we climbed that tough hill. Bad planning perhaps but I'll suffer for a good pub. Jane left us at the top of the hill to cycle to a party in Chatham, so we were down to eight.

After a trip through a certain park we emerged for our only glimpse of Sevenoaks. Traditional stockbroker banker commuter belt, nice but not terribly exciting, though who knows what goes on behind those curtains.
Shirley and Dave left us here and so saw more than any of us of its delights. I think they'd done about 35 miles with quite a few climbs so a decent day's ride.

Six of us were up for the ride back - some stiffer climbs but considerably shorter. Right at Chipstead back to the road end for Chevening Church. Still no sounds of flagellation so we turned left to double back on ourselves for a while. Bill's gears had been playing up for a while so he insisted on turning for the train at Westerham. Kerry kindly chased after him to tell him he'd missed our turn. Luckily he soon caught him and returned to find us waiting and Tim informing us that Bill had missed the last train from Westerham by, um, about 40 years.

The worst climb of the day came at Sundridge Hill - about a mile in all but only about two thirds of a mile of real suffering. Then through Cudham (had planned an extra beer stop soaking up the sun but by now it was pouring) and Downe with its charming air but two disappointing pubs.

Down Jackass Lane which leads straight into thirties suburbia. Tim cut off home. Four of us went via Forest Hill (look out for its secret view of London to be featured in Bike Week's Peaks of Lewisham ride) so that Rob could be given simple directions back to Notting Hill by way of Victoria (follow that 185 bus). Camille and Kerry were getting a bit worried about being stranded in the unknown depths of South London at this point so I returned them safely to Cutty Sark Gardens for a trip back to Tower Hamlets through the foot tunnel . Via the stairs of course as both lifts are out again for six weeks or more so that they can polish the cogs or whatever it is they do several times a year. Hard to believe it was ever out of action this much in its first heyday when it allowed dockers to get to work. Can never understand why they don't just replace the machinery if it's past it.

No punctures - two falls - both Shirley who appeared to emerge remarkably unscathed

A good ride, a healthy turnout despite the unpromising weather and a fairly tough non train assisted ride. Good to see folk coming from over the river to join Lewisham's varied rides programme.

Next Saturday is Ian's great ride to Sheppey (see www.lewishamcyclists.net) featuring wide open spaces, wind farms, naturists, international aeronautical history, pirate radio heritage, and a highly unstable shipload of high explosives. Good job we've got LCC insurance.

Paul Taylor
Lewisham Cyclists