Catford and Bec Hill Climbs
An uncertain weather forecast and the certain prospect of a hilly ride to Yorks Hill contained the N. Cheam Consort to a tightly-strung quartet: Janice on Pearson, Daniel on Dawes (not Janice), Grant on I'm not sure what, plus Jeff on Specialized.
A smart start was halted after 200 yards by the loss of Grant's rear mudflap. Flap over, the pace quickened as we followed a main arterial route through Cheam,
Sutton, Carshalton and Wallington to Five Ways and S. Croydon, where the angle of inclination increased by a few degrees and remained that way for the next few miles, through Farleigh and Warlingham to Botley Hill. At this point, a whispered word in Janice's ear that it was now all downhill to Westerham was enough to set her off in a cloud of dust, brakes superfluous, nerves in neutral and Daniel in hot pursuit.
Sutton, Carshalton and Wallington to Five Ways and S. Croydon, where the angle of inclination increased by a few degrees and remained that way for the next few miles, through Farleigh and Warlingham to Botley Hill. At this point, a whispered word in Janice's ear that it was now all downhill to Westerham was enough to set her off in a cloud of dust, brakes superfluous, nerves in neutral and Daniel in hot pursuit.
Regrouping at Westerham, a brief canter along the A25 brought us to New Road, where we turned South for the long haul up Ide Hill, brakes still superfluous! This got Daniel's adrenalin flowing, now with Janice in hot pursuit. We came together at the green, whence Grant led us past the lines of parked cars and riders warming up on rollers, to the top of Yorks Hill. Here we joined the annual convention of cycling sado-masochists that is the Catford Hill Climb.
With the finishing line already drenched in testosterone, Janice's priority was an egg and bacon baguette; you can't watch this on an empty stomach. We me
t up with others from C&M: Lisa, Andy and Pete, with his own enigmatic method of timing riders at the finishing line. With Robert Gough the victor (1.58.1), it was time to move on, next stop Chipstead - downhill all the way. Janice peeled off at the A25 for an early shower, so a newly formed trio gathered at the Bricklayers Arms: Andy, Daniel, Jeff. Here we met two undercover agents posing as cyclists, who were really inspectors working for CAMRA. The Sussex Best received an outstanding recommendation.
t up with others from C&M: Lisa, Andy and Pete, with his own enigmatic method of timing riders at the finishing line. With Robert Gough the victor (1.58.1), it was time to move on, next stop Chipstead - downhill all the way. Janice peeled off at the A25 for an early shower, so a newly formed trio gathered at the Bricklayers Arms: Andy, Daniel, Jeff. Here we met two undercover agents posing as cyclists, who were really inspectors working for CAMRA. The Sussex Best received an outstanding recommendation.Revitalised, we headed West along the Pilgrim's Way to White Lane for the Bec Hill Climb, the drizzle already setting in. More faces from the C&M: Ed and Keith. As we watched, the rain fell harder (as did poor young Germain Burton - what time might he have otherwise achieved?) and we got wetter and colder. For the record, the winner was Michael Leonard Smith at 1.46.3 - when the hill was dry.
Now time to go, so a bedraggled quartet of Andy, Ed, Daniel and Jeff splashed its way down to Purley and headed home to dry out under the shower and warm up with a welcoming hot toddy.
Now time to go, so a bedraggled quartet of Andy, Ed, Daniel and Jeff splashed its way down to Purley and headed home to dry out under the shower and warm up with a welcoming hot toddy.
Then the sun came out!
Jeff
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