HEADLEY 11/06/06

8 riders at the library on this wonderfully sunny day. But something odd -
no new faces and all male. I checked our records and that's never happened
before with that amount of people out. Normally it's a very balanced mix but
of course, not a problem. We set off over Mitcham Common where Seven Islands
Pond looked lovely. The water level has dropped drastically in the last few
years and it will dry up soon so we have to enjoy it while we can.

On the way to the Wandle Trail it occurred to me that we often pass BedZed
without popping in and invariably there will be at least one person who
didn't know that the largest eco village in the UK is on our doorstep. So we
did a quick lap before moving on to Sutton via the newly green Carshalton
ponds but not before popping out of the Trail in the middle of a police
roadblock!. Then it was through Sutton town centre and along quiet
residential streets to Cheam where we passed the wooden houses on the way
into Nonsuch Park, site of Henry VIII's former palace which has long gone.

After a picnic and Italian ice cream under a tree in the shade we headed for
the long bridleway behind Nescott which passes over the A240 and then over
The Green, a delightful road that looks as if it is stuck in 1950. Instead
of the tiring Chalk Lane incline we decided to try out Rifle Butts Alley, a
long urban bridleway that leads to the Downs. It climbed steadily on a soft
woodchip surface and by the time it had increased it's incline and started
taking it's toll on everyone we realised we were right by the Epsom
racecourse grandstand and at the top of the climb. Much easier.

For the first time on a PHC ride we actually rode over the Downs. The old
Walton Road has virtually disappeared and is now represented by a faint
track on the grass. I nearly missed it. It hurtles downhill on the grass
until you hit the gate at the bottom of the dead-end Ebbisham Lane. The
surface has deteriorated through lack of maintenance as it is essentially
shut to traffic. It's a horrible climb to the top before we freewheeled
along Hurst Lane, under the motorway and along to the village tearoom at
Headley.

There's little to choose from on the menu but the standard of food is
extremely high and very reasonably priced. The attached village store sold
locally produced fruit juices for 90p a bottle. And ice cream.

To avoid a climb, I changed the route back. Our lunch stops are always over
halfway round and we like to get any hill climbing out of the way early on.
None of us fancied a serious climb after lunch so we took an untried
bridleway called Tye Lane that turned out to be quite an exhilarating ride,
very steep sides, nicely downhill and bone dry surface but it was definitely
one to be avoided if it has been raining prior to the ride. It was weird to
find ourselves over the deafening M25 so quickly after the tranquillity of
Queens Wood. Another little detour to try and find the Walton Postmill (not
there or well hidden) saw us heading back towards Walton On The Hill where I
checked out the pubs for future destinations. Most were too expensive but
then we stumbled on Café Chocolat opposite Mere pond which is a definite for
our next venture out that way.

A puncture was swiftly fixed using a spare PHC tube. We rode through
Banstead and along Woodmansterne Lane with its glimpses of hazy London 15
miles distant to the fantastic village sign carved from the fallen 130 year
old cedar tree. The rear has been recently carved with animals and a bench
and everyone always enjoys stopping to take a look. We skipped Oaks Park in
favour of Beddington Park's cakes but another puncture meant it was shut by
the time we arrived at 5pm. That just left the rough cycle track alongside
the sewage farm and Mitcham Common before we were back at Pollards Hill.

The detours added a surprising 6.5 miles to the total making it a 34.5 mile
ride. Normally I'd square that with everyone before adding so many miles but
it took me by surprise. Out for 8hrs.

Lots of Flickr pix at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157594162746553
http://tinyurl.com/mkhr8

===

I've got to say that it's great to be able to try virtually any bridleway
and not get bogged down in mud, get a full day's riding in, have time to
clean my bike and chain when I get home, shower, eat, wash my cycling
clothes and sling the pictures on Flickr, all while it's still light
outside! Hooray for the summer!

Don't forget that these rural destinations we visit are all reached without
having to hop on a train. There's an amazing wealth of beauty within
everyone's cycling reach on the doorstep of Pollards Hill. Now the good
weather is here, try one and find out why everyone loves our routes.

That said, there are no PHC rides for the next 2 weekends as we're
organising Croydon's Bike Week. There are lots of rides to choose from. Be
nice if most of you can make the evening picnic at Norwood Grove on the
Friday but I'm sure I'll see virtually everyone at some point during the
week. And don't forget it's Love Yr Bike 2 at Croydon Arena on the 24th.
It's a great place to hang out and try some bikes round the track.

And of course, Croydon isn't the only Borough doing Bike Week stuff. Check
out the other LCC groups by clicking our Resources button on the website, in
particular our neighbours at Lambeth and Wandsworth. Merton have the Company
of Cyclists at Mitcham Carnival on the 18th. If you're going, let me know
and I'll give you some Croydon flyers to take along.

If you're still reading, I need a ride leader for the New Addington feeder
ride down to Love Yr Bike (June 24th). So long as you can follow a map,
you'll be able to do it. Plus there's £30 in it. Anyone fancy it?

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