THE MINT AT BANSTEAD 07/05/06

The forecast said light rain but it turned out to be perfect cycling
weather. 5 riders at the library set off for Nonsuch Park via the Wandle
Trail and the London Cycle Network roads to Sutton and Cheam. The café in
the park does nice cakes and is a great place for a morning stop.

We took the Warren Farm path out of the park, under the railway and picked
up the long straight bridleway all the way to Epsom. It dissects many roads,
including 'The Green', an intriguing place that has a real 1950s air to it.
The first hill of the day was the long slow climb up Chalk Lane to Epsom
Downs. We rode onto the racecourse by the Rubbing House but approaching it
from this side doesn't have quite the same visual impact as when you come
round Tattenham Corner.

The Mint is in a rural location, despite being just under half a mile from
Banstead. They have a reasonably priced and interesting menu although a
steak had to be returned when it arrived the consistency of a bike tyre.
Nowhere sensible to put bikes either so we chained them to the car park
gate.

We could have made the route home all downhill but it wouldn't have been so
interesting. Instead, we went through Solom's Wood where the houses have
helipads, up the ridiculously steep switchback at Chipstead Way and rested
at the fantastic chainsaw carved Woodmansterne village sign. Then it was
downhill to Oaks Park, former seat of the Earl of Derby and the source of
the names of the two famous Epsom horse races and up the Oaks Track to the
Little Woodcote Estate. The roads from here are all downhill to Beddington
Park where we stopped for an ice cream and then completed our journey along
the sewer path (has it got a name?) and across Mitcham Common.

See the pix from today on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72057594128030919/
Or
http://tinyurl.com/p87jf

Remember to skip the slideshow option so you can see the picture
descriptions. And there are links on the website to the places we visited.
There's also a brand new website for Mitcham Common at:

http://www.mitchamcommon.org/

You can also see the route on Google Maps at:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=168684

Check out how many of the houses we passed have swimming pools! You can also
see things you can't see from the ground such as the Traq Motor Racing
circuits near Beddington Lane and Solom Court.

===

We are overdue for a PHC meeting. Our constitution says we need to meet 4
times a year so lets try a short notice meeting for next Monday 15th May.
7pm at the Mill House. Shouldn't take too long but a good opportunity to
have some input on the forthcoming ride destinations.

Next week is the slightly hilly suburban ride out to Petts Wood, near
Chislehurst. 9:30 at the library.

Cheers

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
http://www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk
http://www.croydonbikeweek.co.uk
07711 688189