Here's this week's news and reports....

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RIDE REPORT

Inn On The Pond 14/09/08

Summer finally seems to have arrived. There were 13 riders waiting at
the start where I noticed a planning application notice for an
extension to the library to include a cafe. That'll be useful if they
have the foresight to open on Sunday mornings!

We took the winding, twisting, turny route along various river paths
to Carshalton and then up to the rural Oaks Track. Although you could
just use the main road, this convoluted route enables the ride to be
far more sociable. We picked up a 14th rider at our morning stop in
Oaks Park.

The carved cedar tree sign at Woodmansterne gave us an opportunity for
a group photo whilst we discussed the merits of the long slow uphill
drag of How Lane vs the unrideable, steep bridleway through Chipstead
golf course. So far, no one has ridden up the bridleway but it only
takes a few minutes to push your bike instead of burning your legs up
How Lane, although those those who chose that option arrived at the
top first.

In a rare move, we sailed past Fannys Farm, all the way off the North
Downs to Gatton Bottom and then started the first of several crossings
over and under the motorways. The roads are wide in these parts and
lightly trafficked. It wasn't long before we picked up National Cycle
Network Route 21 for an off-road stretch that took us straight to the
pub.

Last time we tried to stop at the Inn On The Pond, it had been
completely gutted for a refurbishment. They re-opened with an emphasis
on food but said they were still happy to welcome cyclists. Although
they're only a mile outside of Redhill, the quiet location feels very
rural. Unfortunately, the food wasn't much cop - my overcooked pasta
just fell apart.

Dropping off the North Downs can only mean one thing - a long climb
back up. Having to do that climb after lunch is no fun but popping out
on top of Farthing Downs makes up for it. The long descent across open
downland drops you into a dip again so we had another tough climb up
to Clock House. Even so, the afternoon return seemed to be going
really quickly.

The village green on the Webb Estate is from a bygone age. The
delightful post office even used to be a temperance inn. We inched
around some quiet roads and then rode straight into Beddington Park
for an afternoon stop. Several riders had disappeared by this point so
that left only a handful going back to Pollards Hill.

33 miles, out for 6.5hrs. See the pics on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157607292672297
or
http://tinyurl.com/phc010

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RIDE REPORT

Surrey Churches Ride 13/09/08

13 riders came along to the first ever Beddington Park version of the
annual Surrey Churches Bike Ride. All over Surrey on the 2nd Saturday
in September, money is raised for the Surrey Churches Preservation
Trust by cyclists cramming in as many churches as possible on a ride.
A short route around Carshalton and Wallington had managed to
incorporate 14 participating churches.

You're supposed to sign a sheet as proof you've visited each church
but none of us were actually being sponsored so it didn't seem to
matter too much that the first church, St Marys in Beddington Park,
was shut. However, there's an amazing history associated with the
church as Sir Walter Raleigh is rumoured to be buried in the
churchyard in an unmarked grave after his headless body was removed
from Westminster Abbey to be closer to Bess Throckmorton, the lover
he'd secretly married and who lived at the adjacent Carew Manor. She
was already in possession of his embalmed head.

Bizarrely, the next church was also shut, as was the third one. We
accidentally missed the 5th church but by the time we'd come across
the 11th closed church near the Stanley Road allotments, it became
apparent that this corner of Surrey wasn't really entering into the
spirit of things. Needless to say, the 12th church, Carshalton
Methodist on Ruskin Rd was also shut. As we sat outside, pondering our
position, a man with church keys turned up and asked if we were lost.
No, we're hoping to look inside your church. He'd never heard of the
bike ride but let us look inside and it was quite interesting. No
pews, a video screen that flashes up the words to hymns so the
congregation can sing along (church karaoke anyone?) and lots of
natural light. They were getting ready for Last Night Of The Proms,
part of a free monthly film club that shows topical films, classics or
recently released blockbusters. Next up is Indiana Jones and Crystal
Skull on Halloween.

The highlight of the ride was supposed to be All Saints opposite
pretty Carshalton ponds, with the promise of tea and cake plus indoor
bike parking. We accessed from the rear, riding through the spooky
churchyard only to find, surprise surprise - another closed door.
However, at least they knew we were coming and had left us a note
pinned to the noticeboard and a copy of the sign-in sheet. We added 13
names to the 2 already on there and moved on to the final stage, the
Baptist church at Strawberry Lane, anticipating a closed door.

Imagine the surprise when we arrived to find the Benhill Allotment
Society's annual horticultural show in full swing. They'd thoughtfully
set up a tea and cakes stand and a variety of first class fruit and
veg was meticulously laid out on long tables. Some of us bought raffle
tickets as there was only a few minutes wait before local MP, Tom
Brake, started the prize giving ceremonies. One rider won a large cake
but promptly entered it into the charity auction to try and raise a
bit of extra cash. It went for £7.00!

The ride was pretty much over at this point and only one person wanted
to return to the park so we all went our own ways. A slow 6.5 miles,
see a couple of pics on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157607273175949
or
http://tinyurl.com/phc009

http://www.surreychurchespreservationtrust.org/bikeride.html

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RIDE REPORT

An Amble Through The Arun Valley 07/09/08

Six of us set of from Billingshurst station on our circular route to
Amberley and back. I'd had a wet start to the day on my cycle to East
Croydon but the ride itself was dry. We chased some rain clouds around
the Arun Valley but were not able to get a drop to fall on our heads!
In the early afternoon there were even some spells of "sunshine" - I
had to run this word through a spellchecker. It seems that "sunshine"
is an old English word that has fallen into neglect and disuse in
recent times.

It would be fair to describe the route as undulating, a fact that
would probably explain why it feels longer than the distance of 36
miles. However the roads are very quiet and pass through some varied
and beautiful countryside, especially the section around Amberley.

We visited Amberley castle and popped into the village's pottery
before heading onto the Bridge Inn by the river Arun for lunch.

In the afternoon we turned away from the South Downs and headed
onwards and upwards through some pretty villages. A highlight of the
ride was the bridleway that climbed up above Petworth to reveal the
South Downs stretching along the horizon from east to west.

Mindful that the return trains from Billingshurst were only one an
hour we pressed on to make it to the station after the level crossing
had closed but just in time to cross the footbridge and catch the
train.

Thanks to everyone who turned out on what looked like a damp day. Hope
everyone enjoyed the ride and the fact that it stayed dry!

Report by Roland

See the pix on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157607262157735
or
http://tinyurl.com/phc008

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SOUTH LONDON CYCLISTS FORUM

2 weeks ago I announced a new online forum for South London cyclists
to chat and exchange information. It's taken off really well and now
has nearly 60 registered members and some good threads, one of which
has already been read well over 100 times. To make it easier to find,
it now has it's own URL which you should bookmark:

http://www.southlondoncyclists.org.uk

I'd encourage everyone to sign up and post anything you like that you
think will interest others. It doesn't need to be a headline grabbing
topic, it could just be a recommendation for a good pub you cycled to
or praise for a new piece of cycle kit that you're finding useful.

It's also a great place to share rides, even if you're not the leader.
It would be good to know who's going on which rides. A lot of PHC
riders also join other groups or do their own rides of discovery. Tell
us where you're going or what you found. There's a particularly good
ride mentioned for next Saturday which is raising awareness of diesel
spills and ends at 10 Downing St. That's worth a look.

The success of the site will simply depend on people using it so if
you find this kind of facility useful, please come and join in.

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TOOTING SOCIAL CYCLING CLUB

This great photo comes from the cover of an Alan Godfrey map and shows
the forebears of PHC proudly posing for the camera:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/2852052823

The Alan Godfrey maps are historical reproductions of old Ordnance
Survey maps and contain a great deal of information about the history
of the area. They're fascinating. See:

http://www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk

Thanks to Jim for sending me this scan.

===

NEXT WEEK

Jim is taking advantage of Open House weekend to visit the Great Tithe
Barn at Harmonsdworth on Saturday. It's 45 miles but they're very flat
miles so anyone who does our regular Sunday rides should be able to
achieve this without any problems. Lunch will be at a pub in the
village. 9:30 at the library.

It's the annual Freewheel event on Sunday. A little circuit of Central
London streets are closed to motor traffic so you can cycle in peace
(with 100,00 others...!). It's a great idea but should, of course, be
weekly.

I'd appreciate it if anyone is planning on coming if they could tell
me in an email. We are being sent 10 "marshals" from the London
Cycling Campaign but if we've got enough regular riders then this
won't be necessary.

We'll ride from the library at 9:30 up to Clapham Common and then
follow the prescribed route onto the central circuit. We'll regroup
after lunch so that people can enjoy the course at their own speed and
come back the way we came. Families are welcome but we'll still be
doing up to 30 miles.

Full details on our website.

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

http://www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk
http://www.southlondoncyclists.org.uk