RIDE REPORT
Brockham Victorian Fair 16/07/06

It's risky running train-assisted rides on Sundays, especially from
little used stations such Mitcham Junction. Today we had offered two
choices, a longer ride starting at Pollards Hill or the option to catch
a train and meet us at Epsom for a more PHC-friendly shortened version.
3 of us set off from the library, unaware that no trains were running
despite the fact that no problems were reported in the middle of the
week. One person tried in vain to meet us but was scuppered. Another
got a different train and met up with the Central London CTC who were
going to the same place as us. Of course, Mitcham Junction isn't
everyone's local station so we did have one rider who had caught the
train from Clapham Junction.

As we were all experienced riders, I decided to use Stane Street, the
old Roman Road that leads from Epsom Downs to Box Hill. It's a tough
byway with varying surfaces. The muddy parts had baked into ruts which
shook you to bits. But the views are worth it and it's a nice way of
avoiding traffic. It drops you out at Juniper Hill so we slid into
Rykas, the famous motorbike haunt at the foot of Box Hill. Sutton
Cycling club were out on their mountain bikes. Didn't recognise anyone.

Brockham isn't very far from Rykas so we rode an extended loop
comprised of Surrey Cycleway roads and quiet rural lanes before riding
into the heart of the village where we saw two members of the South
West London CTC who had organised a cyclist's wordhunt based at
Brockham. We lunched at the pub and then went to check if the cake
stall had opened at the church hall. It had! Whilst eating a slice of
party cake, the Central London CTC rolled in. It's a very popular
cycling destination.

As there was no need to return to Epsom station, I plotted a route
across to Gatton Park. It was a new route to me but the Surrey Cycle
maps help when choosing which lanes or bridleways to use. We rode up to
Reigate postmill for a look and discovered a church service going on
inside the windmill itself. The route up towards the North Downs from
Reigate involved a stiff climb and a stretch of busy road so we waited
for a gap in the traffic at the top of Reigate Hill and headed off to
the viewpoint for an ice cream. The view is amazing!

I picked a bad route through Gatton Park so rather than continue to get
shaken to bits we jumped onto Gatton Bottom Rd and swung left on
Markedge Lane under the M25. A mechanic problem with a stuck chain gave
us more time to rest in the shade before nipping into Fanny's Farm for
a swift apple and grape juice and a peek at the treehouse for those who
have only seen it in our pictures.

Once out of Fanny's and at the top of the lane it is mostly downhill
home. I offered an option - the usual gradual descent along How Lane or
a fast drop down Castle Rd on the one-way single track lane. We chose
the fast descent but it was spoiled by two motorists who were desperate
to overtake on a road that clearly can't accommodate such a manoeuvre.
The sharp climb up Chipstead Way leads onto the fast descent from
Woodmansterne where we finished the ride by going through the Little
Woodcote estate and riding past Beddington Park back to Pollards Hill.

Total mileage was 45, 36 for the Epsom start back to Pollards Hill.
Epsom to Epsom would have been a normal PHC ride had it been possible.
Out for 9 hours.

See the pix on Flickr (don't use the slideshow!) at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/
72157594201207237/
or
http://tinyurl.com/jvekh

===

Next week is our first birthday! Suzanne (PHC co-founder) is travelling
from her new home in Edinburgh to do the ride. We'll go up the Wandle
Trail from Merton Abbey Mills to the Thames then cross at Putney to
ride the more interesting northern Thames Path to Brentford and then
back to the south side and along to Richmond where we'll camp up for
lunch near Tide Tables. The return will be over Richmond Park and
Wimbledon Common. Don't miss it! 09:30 depart from the library.

Our first maintenance class was held on Thursday. In the end I didn't
have time to collect deposits to ensure everyone turned up. I wish I
had as there were a couple of no-shows. That's really disappointing
when we're offering over £200 worth of free lessons. Lesson learned.
The second class is next Thursday. We'll run a Ride Leader one soon.

Cheers
Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189