The best country lane
Spring is not far away – just before setting out I made a quick change from winter gloves to lighter mitts. Five of us set out from Cheam and rode up Farthing Down, past the spruced-up car park, in mild but cloudy conditions. We arrived in good time at Bletchingley but to no avail as we discovered the tea place would not open for another 25 minutes or so. Propping a message on the window sill we rode off to the Café Nova at Godstone garden centre where our numbers rose to eleven.
This change of elevenses resulted in an unscheduled encounter with Tilburstow Hill but from then on it was plain sailing, so to speak, past the Crowhurst yew and Lingfield racecourse to Dormansland. Shortly after we turned into Smithers Lane. Rolling past the farmyards, one or two hillettes, good views at this time of year and the delightful Furnace Lake this was unanimously declared the best lane for cycling in the south-east of England. Nine of us lunched in the garden at the Fountain pub, notable for its prominent CTC sign. It was a little chilly outside until the temperamental outside heater burst into life. Across from the pub the red phone box is now without its telephone but, with piles of second-hand books, continues in service as a library.
Avoiding the main road we rode to Mark Beech and a good long downhill stretch to Edenbridge. Darkening skies finally gave way to steady rain. Another change of plan, we decided to ride up Tilburstow again and back to Lamingtons at Bletchingley for tea. This was a good decision. It is a fine place for tea and the cakes are especially recommended. There will be another chance to sample them on 5 June.
From the gateway to the south I covered 74 miles, not bad at all for this time of year.
..............from Mike.
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