CHISLEHURST CAVES: 06/05/07

The original idea for Pollards Hill Cyclists was a simple email list
where people advertised a ride they wanted to do and invited others to
join them. Although we are far more multi-faceted than that, it's
still the power of the email list that brings people out on the rides.
We only decided to go to Chislehurst last week whilst having lunch in
Leatherhead. At the height of today's ride, we had 18 people along -
not bad for a week's notice!

Using the backstreets to Crystal Palace means just two short hills to
climb. But what a day to try and go to the park. First we encountered
Billy (not so) Smart's circus tent plonked right across our path and
then it transpired we were riding the course of the Run For Life,
minutes before the actual race started. Fortunately we made it to the
cafe without getting tangled up with the runners.

Bromley has a lot of unmade roads that can be quite hairy. There was
no avoiding Crab Hill, a slippy gravel descent past Ravensbourne
station but we skipped a similiar climb on Elstree Hill in favour of
tarmac roads. A tricky ascent on Mavelstone Rd was made even more
difficult by the gravel but the quick 30mph+ decsent down Chilslehurst
Rd to the caves was most definitely on tarmac.

We arrived at the caves just as the midday tour was leaving. One
person opted to join them whilst the rest of the group split with some
going to the neighbouring Bickley Arms and the remainder lunching at
the cave's reasonably priced cafe. The tour is well worth doing
although a lot of the history can be gleaned from reading the info
boards in the foyer. We fixed a double puncture in one tube caused by
a fence nail before moving off.

The trick to spicing up urban rides is to include as much greenery as
possible. Jubilee Country Park with it's own cycle track was a hit,
despite its awkward barriers that obstructed our rider with a kiddy
trailer but Norman Park is just a huge expanse of grass that provides
a welcome break from traffic. Next we moved up to Kelsey Park for an
afternoon stop. The cafe was destroyed by fire last year and has been
temporarily replaced by a food trailer and ice cream van. According to
the sign, it won't be rebuilt until at least October. We lazed on the
grass for a while.

I thought a sneaky lap of the park would be nice but although we were
riding at little over walking pace, a park warden intercepted us and
asked us to dismount. Instead of walking our bikes around the
attractive lake, we opted to leave by the nearest exit and head
towards South Norwood Country Park where cycling is both permitted and
encouraged along the gravel tracks.

By now, people were leaving the ride so it was only 6 of us that
headed past the Crystal Palace ground back towards Pollards Hill. 27
miles, out for 7hrs. See the pix on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157600183492041
or
http://tinyurl.com/25wegn

===

Next week is a virtually flat ride out to the Isle of Dogs. We'll use
the mostly traffic-free Waterlink Way from South Norwood Country Park
all the way to Greenwich and then down the foot tunnel to cross the
river. Lunch at the Ledger Buildings (Wethespoons) at West India Quay
then back the way we came (or possible detour through Crystal Palace).
Depart 9:30am at the library. Try to be there by at least 9:20am.

Cheers
Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189