Hello,

For those that don't read to the bottom, the ride reports contain a
lot of extra info. So I've changed the title to Weekly Update. In this
issue, you'll find today's ride report and pictures, info about a trip
to France, Beddington Park, the Tour de Penge and a trailer for next
week's ride.

===

RIDE REPORT
ISLE OF DOGS 13/05/07

It started raining as I left home and whenever this happens, I
secretly hope no one turns up so I can go home. The forecast on the
normally reliable www.netweather.tv said torrential rain at midday.
However, none of the 8 riders could be dissuaded so we set off toward
Thornton Heath in the steadily increasing rain.

We picked up the Waterlink Way, a Sustrans route from the Thames to
the English Channel at Eastbourne, in South Norwood Country Park and
came across the first of several welcome additions. A toucan crossing
for cycles and pedestrians has been installed at the barrier-free exit
from the park to help you over the A214.

Barnmead Road have some new bollards and road signs but didn't spend
any money on the surface, which is still like a cart track. The route
then ducks underneath Kent House station and into Cator Park where we
picked up another rider with his daughter on the kiddy seat. Normally
we carry straight on up the Waterlink Way but the cafe atr Ladywell
Fields in notorious for being shut so we detoured to Beckenham Place
Park where the cafe has become non-smoking and far more pleasant.

A nice descent towards Lower Sydenham awaited us after a short break,
even more welcome because we barely did any climbing to get there. A
stupid 'pedal up' obstacle has been removed on the traffic-free
stretch along the railway and the wooden deathtrap bridge at Catford
now has a grippy surface to prevent tyres slipping away from you.

Everyone loved the swirly bridge over the railway and it was good to
see that Cornmill Gardens at Lewisham is nearly complete and will
offer a nice addition to the route. We caught two more riders in
Greenwich and went down the foot tunnel in the lift. Top tip - DO NOT
ride your bike in the tunnel or you'll be carrying it up the steps the
other end!

The rain had now stepped up and we met our 13th person at the other
side. Sustrans route 1 took us through the docks to the pub, a
Wetherspoons Lloyds No 1 inside a fabulous old warehouse. Food was
cheap and cheerful and there are plenty of places to tie bikes up.

We sat a little bit too long in the pub but it was still raining when
we left. However, as we progressed back the way we came, it finally
started to brighten up. By the time we'd detoured to Crystal Palace
for an afternoon break, the rain had stopped. As we climbed out of the
park, my heart sank. The building works that have just started in the
park had barriered right over the path. Fortunately, instead of
whizzing back down the hill and up the other side, there was a route
out over the grass. A little bit more climbing took us to the top of
Anerley Hill which gives you a great downhill finish all the way back
to the library.

30 miles, out for 7.5hrs. See the pix on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157600210846756
or
http://tinyurl.com/2yzlpp

===

BEDDINGTON PARK

We're going ahead with the Saturday afternoon rides from Beddington
Park. There was a great response when I floated this last week so I
think it's going to be a big success. It's a joint project with the
CTC Beginners Section who run the busy rides from Nonsuch Park in
Cheam. The first ride will be on June 2nd and we'll run for 14 weeks.
All welcome.

Riders should meet at 1:30pm for a free pre-ride bike check and then
we'll set off at 2pm. All riders will be back by 5pm and we'll go at
the speed of the old Mitcham Loop rides (that we seem to have
overlooked recently). Kids are welcome if an adult accompanies them
and all rides will head to a cafe so bring a few pennies. We'll have 6
or 7 set routes so we'll be repeating all of them at least once.

To make this work, I still need volunteers to help with the rides.
Quite a few people have already offered but we could do with some
more. Electronic hands up if you want to help please. Even one week
would help a lot.

===

Many people have often asked about a trip to France. During Bike Week,
Sea France are offering free crossings. Details:

"Sea France are offering FREE travel across the Channel during Bike Week.
You will be entitled to FREE crossings for any foot passenger crossing
with their bicycle during 16 – 24 June, 2007. To book please call 0871
663 2559 and quote FREEFTDAY for a day trip or FREETRWK for a duration
up to week long"

We'll go on Sat 16th June. You'll need to book your own ferry but
we'll all meet up at the station to get a Group Save on the train
tickets. Because we'll spend half the day travelling, we'll just do a
10 mile or so ride along the coast road towards the beaches of
Wissant, have a croissant and then ride back. If you're interested,
reply to this mail and I'll circulate more info to those interested
once I've checked out the ferry details to see if we can get on it.
Those that wish to make a weekend of it can just pedal off when we
leave Wissant.

===

Tour de Penge

Organised by one of today's PHC riders. If you're in the area or fancy
another ride up the Waterlink, trty and give your support to this....

10.30am, Sunday 20th May
Starting from Royston Field, behind Sainsbury's in Penge.

COME AND JOIN OUR SALUTE TO THE TOUR DE FRANCE WHICH STARTS IN BRITAIN
THIS YEAR. HAVE FUN AND GET FIT ON THIS CYCLE DAY!

10.30-11.30am FREE Bicycle Health Check & Security Marking

11.30am BICYCLE RIDE TO GREENWICH PARK & back, via the Waterlink Way.
Led by experienced members of local cycle groups, so no-one will be
left behind!
* Mostly on traffic-free cycle paths
* Opportunity to opt-out early, if necessary

Bring plenty of drink and your own lunch

FAMILIES WELCOME. NO UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN UNDER 16

Organised by Friends of Royston Field and Royston Estate Residents' Association
Cancelled if the weather is bad!

===

Next week is the re-run of the 2007 Ride of the Year but with a
different pub that hopefully can serve quicker than 2hrs. It's hilly
but there are great downhills too. 9:30am at the library. More info on
the website

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

http://www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk