Sunday 28th June 2009

From Mike:

At the start of this summer’s heat wave Ed, Andrew, Steve and Mike set off at 0910 – it is quite a way to Chartwell so no lazing about at N. Cheam on this Sunday.

Across Farthing Down (Mike says he prefers this to Beddington and Purley but in truth it’s the only south-east route he knows) and then to Caterham. A few hills until the welcome downhill from Botley Hill. Pity the poor souls at Westerham going to the Biggin Hill air show, a hot morning stuck in their cars and, with horns blaring, signs of impending road rage. Fortunately it is only a short distance to the Chartwell turn-off and, a little after the appointed time, we arrived to meet Andy, Jeff and Ian. Although the car park at the home of the nation’s former leader was beginning to fill it was pleasant to sit outside at the coffee shop.

Shortly before noon we set off for Penshurst. A little way down the road and we turn onto Puddledock Lane. This is a little like those hills you climbed years ago in the Lakes; it is not far to the top now, what was all the fuss about, only to realise that it is not the summit at all and there is a long slog ahead. Puddledock starts with a short climb and then a nice stretch of downhill before the relentless steep climb. The reward is the view at the top across the south-east.

It was the ride leader’s initial plan to continue up and loop round Ide Hill but, he facing the fate of Captain Bligh on this sultry day, we headed down to Bough Beech reservoir, at this time of the year not many twitchers there.

Penshurst is another ‘false friend’. Pedalling past the station the expectation of lunch is in the air. But no, it is another couple of uphill miles to the village. Lunch at the Leicester Arms (Mike recommends the beetroot soup) and lazing at the foot of the garden by the stream with an in-depth discussion on the musical legacy of one M. Jackson.

After lunch we pedal, along a different route, past Chartwell again, Andy puncturing at Bough Beech. Billowing cumulus threaten those without capes but in the event only a few drops fall. After a few hills the ‘open for teas’ sign at Tatsfield is welcome. It is not long before we are joined by a former cyclist and the tea-time discussion covers frame builders that we knew before we pedal home on this warm afternoon.