CROYDON LIDO (& beyond) 05/03/06

A family ride with no families. 8 people at the library enjoyed the early
spring sunshine for Suzanne's final duty as a Ride Leader. One rider jokily
sporting an SOS appeal: Save Our Suzanne!

The initial route from Pollards Hill took in Mitcham Common, and a
particularly jubilant group of starlings singing out their pleasure at
seeing the sun again. The scenic route to Beddington Park is mostly
traffic-free. We meandered at a leisurely pace beside the Thames Water
works, although we didn't see the usual groups of bird watchers scanning the
skies for the interesting inhabitants of the site.

The proposed lunch at the former Lido stop became an early cake stop as it
was unanimously decided to increase the mileage slightly and push on for
lunch in Oaks Park. But first, on the day that the test flight of the
Spitfire was re-enacted, we visited the birthplace of modern civil aviation,
Croydon Airport. It's open on the first Sunday of every month, free entry,
suggested donation of £1. It's changed from the last time any of us visited
and you can no longer wander freely around. Instead we had a short talk from
a former aviation engineer before we were allowed into the old control tower
where radio communications for aircraft were pioneered. Anyone interested in
aviation history should make a point of visiting Croydon Airport and talk to
the fascinating tour guides, several of them former pilot or engineers that
served time at Croydon.

An attempt to reduce the climb to the rural Little Woodcote estate found us
in a private road with a set of very effective anti-cycling barriers.
Suddenly the advantages of a light bike become clear! The tarmac bridleways
were nice and quiet. It's astonishingly rural out there, the Gherkin
building in central London looks miles away on the clear horizon and there
are just fields in the other direction.

As the sun shone on, we wound our way towards Oaks Park for a very pleasant
lunch stop, despite the slightly indifferent service! We decided to check
out the craft centre. Closed. Why??

Woodmansterne Lane is a traffic-calmed B-Road that is downhill all the way
to the lovely Carshalton Ponds. We picked up the Wandle Trail and finished
the day with an overdue ride alongside the depleted Seven Islands Pond on
Mitcham Common and made it back to Pollards Hill just before 4pm, still with
some sun in sight.

An enjoyable Sunday amble. Almost 18 miles, out for 5 and a half hours.

See the pix at: <http://tinyurl.co.uk/2gj5>

===

Next Sunday we are visiting Beaver Water World. Option to tour the reptile
zoo, £3.00. Their little café is free entry. As it's on top of the North
Downs, it is hilly. But that means downhill for the return. 9:30 at the
library.

Suzanne's final ride before she moves to Scotland on the following Sunday.
Try to make it! Similar route to today, up to Fanny's Farm. Might try to fit
in a detour to the model village and village green at Woodcote, near Purley.


Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
http://www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk
Next Love Yr Bike - Croydon Arena, 24th June
07711 688189