CROYDON'S COUNTRYSIDE

The advertised prospect of muddy bridleways around the pleasantly rural
areas of Croydon must have been unappealing to those who had watched the
rain fall over the past few days. Only one other taker appeared at the
library but with the cold already taking it's toll, we decided to cut the
ride short and stay out of the mud this time. Instead, we made off through
Mayfield Park and then tried to trace the abandoned route for the cycle link
between Mitcham and Croydon (this must have intended to use the long path
behind Harcourt Rd?). We missed Church Alley but this would have kept us off
main roads all the way to the town centre. What a pity this idea won't see
the light of day in the near future.

We rode out of Croydon and down towards Leyton Crescent, part of the Waddon
Community Trail, where we hoped to view their tree decorations but we were
either too early or they've been abandoned this year. Waddon Ponds was the
next port of call, one of the sources of the Wandle and Croydon's starting
point for the Wandle Trail. The newly resurfaced path took us up to a busy
Beddington Park for a cake stop and then down the cycle path back to Mitcham
Common. Only out for a couple of hours - 11 miles.

See some pics on Flickr:

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/1509274/>


Next Sunday is the cyclists Christmas Dinner in Richmond. We have a ride
leaving at 09:30 taking a steady, scenic route to the White Cross at
Richmond. Expect to find many more cyclists on arrival from the Kingston,
Wandsworth, Merton and Hammersmith groups.

I ventured out on a solo ride yesterday to Beckenham Park Place where I
picked up the Green Chain to Chislehurst Common. Although the Green Chain is
marked with yellow arrows, meaning it is a footpath and bikes technically
aren't allowed, it is actually a series of beautifully wide paths running
through woods that I can highly recommend. This really should be upgraded to
allow cyclists to use it legally. We are heading out to both destinations
over the coming weeks including a slow New Year's Day amble up to Beckenham
Place Park. See the website for the newly added bits (including our
excellent Christmassy logo!)

Cheers

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
http://www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk
07711 688189