Here's this week's new & reports....

===

RIDE REPORT
Eynsford PHC+ 09/03/08

Today was a joint ride with Lewisham Cyclists and we had a tight
rendezvous at Christmas Tree Farm in Downe. I chose a fairly direct
route up and over Gravel Hill in Croydon and along the so-called Mad
Mile on the cycle path towards Coney Hall. A serious looking swarm of
cyclists came down Corkscrew Hill and I secretly hoped that wasn't our
riding companions for the day as they'd leave us for dead.
Fortunately, it wasn't. We bumped into the 3 Lewisham Cyclists a
couple of miles later, rising from Jackass Lane's steep finale and
rode together to the farm. PHC turned out a total of 14 and Lewisham
raised 4 riders. We didn't expect numbers to be so weighted in our
favour as Lewisham often equal our attendances. But that doesn't
matter - it's not a competition.

The 25% climb at Cudham claimed several victims; one fall, a slipped
chain and a puncture. We rested outside the church whilst the puncture
was fixed, watching serious-looking club cyclists struggling up the
mini mountain. The ride really kicks in at this point. Although Downe
is quite rural, the lanes just after Cudham would lead you to believe
you're in the middle of nowhere. You certainly wouldn't think you were
still inside the M25!

The climbs were harsh but that's to be expected on a PHC+ ride. A
descent into Pratts Bottom and over the busy A21 is countered by the
steep Chelsfield Hill but at least that takes you straight back into
rural countryside. Skibbs Lane was closed according to a road sign but
a local said that was simply to deter parking. Not so, a lorryload of
tree waste had been dumped right in the middle of the lane. There are
glimpses of great London views off to your left and after a while, the
road becomes unfenced, drawing you directly into the landscape. It
really is beautiful in this forgotten area.

The welcome descent into Eynsford ends at the village ford. Only our
intrepid tricyclist dared to cross the Darent and ended up with wet
feet and river dripping out of the bottom bracket. The Castle pub was
expecting us. I'd been there a few weeks earlier and was shown the
menu for our return but that was a mistake as they only offer roasts
on a Sunday. However, a choice of 4 different roasts, good starters
and desserts made up for the absence of the jacket potatoes. We'd made
good time so we enjoyed a leisurely lunch stop.

Lewisham Cyclists bade farewell as we left the pub. We crossed over
the road to visit the castle ruins and felt a few drops of rain. As
soon as waterproofs were on, the heavens opened and soaked us for just
10 minutes. The energetic climb to Well Hill soon had us warmed up and
dried out.

An afternoon puncture gave me chance to ride ahead and inspect the
bridleway across the northern part of the Holwood House estate. I
thought it was ok but skinnier tyres were slipping on ground softened
by the rain so we slipped out onto the exclusive Keston Park
development and admired the grand houses.

One of the advantages of the PHC+ rides is that it's no problem to
ride out and back on busy A roads. The wide cycle path on the A232
doesn't manage to stay the full course but it took us swiftly into
Croydon where 3 of us opted for a town centre coffee stop whilst the
rest wisely continued home before the rain caught back up with us.

45 miles. Out for 8hrs. See the pix on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157604082531377
or
http://tinyurl.com/26znpd

===

CHEAP CYCLING STUFF

Lidl have a selection of cycle accessories from Monday. Some good
examples are cycle jerseys for under a fiver (a lot of us can vouch
for these!), cycle socks for £1.99, helmets & jackets are both £7.99.
Not sure about the unicycle at £24.99!

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20080310.p.Cycling_Jacket.ar1

===

BEDDINGTON PARK

The monthly Saturday afternoon ride has come round again. Great for
those wanting a shorter, easier outing on the bike. Thanks to those
who've already volunteered to lead one of these rides when they go
weekly again in April. I'll roster those soon. As PHC doesn't have any
membership fees, one way to give something back is to have a go at
leading a Beddington Park ride. The routes are already devised and we
can offer plenty of help. Come along next weekend if you want to
discover what the rides are all about. 1:45pm for a 2pm departure at
the cafe in Beddington Park. More details:

http://www.beddingtonparkcyclerides.com

===

EVENING STANDARD

Thanks for all the responses to the Evening Standard's request for a
cycling family living in Mitcham. The journalist has chosen a family
living near Pollards Hill so hopefully we'll get some good coverage,
even though the article is primarily about Mitcham being a good place
to live.

===

GRAND UNION CANAL ADVENTURE

PHC member Steve Montgomery has published an excellent report on his
attempt to ride up the Grand Union Canal to his parent's home near
Birmingham. Read all about it here:

http://zebrafish.info/index.php/Europe/Grand-Union-Canal-Ride.html

===

NEXT WEEK

Originally, we were going to visit the pub at the Fullers Brewery.
Great idea but it's not open on Sundays. Instead, we're going to take
a chance on a Thameside pub. The route is one of the best in the area;
the Wandle Trail, the Thames Path, Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common.
Nice easy ride suitable for all. 9:30 at the library.

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

http://www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk