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

===

RIDE REPORT
The Blue Ball 19/07/09

13 set out from Pollards Hill library. Gentle progress saw us meander
along the Wandle path and through to Westcroft Leisure Centre at
Carshalton. Onwards to Telegraph track & to the Oaks Park café for
munchies.

Beyond Oaks Park the Lavender fields were in full bloom and the air
was heavy with their wonderful aroma as people wandered around picking
bunches. The gentle climbing began now as we made our way up to
Woodmansterne and on to Banstead. All safely crossed the busy A217
then we had to stop to don rainwear as showers threatened, then
delivered! It lasted about 20 minutes and fortunately was the only
rain we had all day.

Ever upwards towards Walton and a momentary lapse, (who said senior
moment!) saw the group gently lap a quiet urban street then return
whence we came to discover the correct route again. Lunch at the Blue
Ball was excellent as usual. Wide choice, reasonable prices and
quickly served.

Onwards again for a wonderful 3 mile descent into Epsom. A few minor
climbs along the way didn’t detract from the fun. Just beside NESCOT
we suffered our first puncture. Repaired and mounted,we had our second
within ¼ mile! There must be very hostile glass in that area.

People departed at various points along this section and we arrived at
Nonsuch café with 9 riders. After tea two more left and the remaining
7 pottered off through Cheam & Sutton, arriving at the start at 1700.

34.5 miles, out for 7 ½ hrs. See the pix on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157621570798627
or
http://tinyurl.com/phc063

Report by Ian.

Note: 12 riders out on Saturday's monthly Beddington Park ride. Next
half day ride is on August 1st from Pollards Hill.

===

BIG GREEN DAY OUT

I manned a stall at the National Trust's Big Green Day Out event in
Morden Hall Park today. The advertising wasn't very good (unless you
listen to Radio Jackie) and subsequently I'd put the attendance across
the day at less than 500. It wasn't really worth it for us to be there
but as always these events do provide a good opportunity to meet
people who are aware of us but haven't been on a ride. Thanks to the 3
PHC riders who turned up for moral support.

We're going to try another event on the Bank Holiday Monday in August
called Change 4 Life. This promises to be a much bigger affair and is
organised by Merton Council who are expecting between 5000 - 10,000
people. Confusingly, it's in Morden Park which is nothing to do with
Morden HALL Park. If you want to do an hour on the stall, enthusing
about how great our rides are, let me know.

===

LIDL CYCLING SPECIALS

Regular readers of the South London Cycling forum will know that Lidl
has a big cycling sale this week. And regular readers of this email
will know that there's very little wrong with their products and that
lots of us wear the cheap jerseys. A fiver for a track pump is good
value too.

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20090723.index.ar1

===

BRISTOL TRIP

I will email all those going with details during the week. I have
copies of route maps and Bristol cycle maps for everyone. Those not
coming are free to arrange a ride - let me know if you fancy it.

===

NEXT WEEK

It's our birthday weekend. 4 years old. First up, there's been a
slight change to the Saturday arrangements. The Cycle Bingo ride will
now leave at 1pm. There's a reason for this - we're heading to a
secret destination. But we'll be back in time for a 3pm BBQ in
Beddington Park. I've decided to provide sausages for everyone who
wants them, from club funds. You need to email me back to say you
intend to come and whether you want meat or veggie. We'll also have
buns and ketchup etc. You can still bring your own food and chuck it
in the ice box. To be clear, the Saturday timeline is:

12:45 Arrive at Beddington Park cafe and place any items you've bought
for the BBQ in the ice box. Bag them and label them please.
1:00pm Cycle Bingo ride leaves from outside the cafe in Beddington
Park. At this point, you are far too late to put your BBQ food in the
ice box.
3:00pm Ride returns to the park and BBQ starts on one of the dedicated
BBQ stands near the cafe

You can join us at any point but those doing the ride should know that
it is very short with lots of stops. The playing of Cycle Bingo is
optional. Rules explained at the start. No entry fee so no refunds if
it doesn't work out as planned!

Beddington Park is here: http://tinyurl.com/phc062

On Sunday, Jez is leading a normal Sunday ride with a heavy emphasis
on cake (it is our Birthday after all!). The ride is reasonably tough
because it's hilly in places so not really ideal for complete novices.
We're going to pace for all but some may want to walk the big hill
before lunch. Lots of off-road sections although the worst of the
sandy bits should be ok as we've had some recent rain. The rest is
fine if a little bumpy in places. Cakes at Shere and Brockham, lunch
in Capel if all goes well. You need to be at Mitcham Eastfields before
9:15 to catch the 9:23 train to Dorking. There's no Permit To Travel
machine so you'll need to buy return Group Saves at the other end. The
ticket machines cannot calculate the Group Save discount (which
perplexes me - how hard could it be?). Don't be late to the station or
the level crossing gates might be down. As we can't do a Group Save at
the start, fine to board at whichever interim station you like along
the way.

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

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