Sunday 22nd January 2012

Outside the café in Downe.

Attending the front wheel blowout.

Pilgrims Way

Meerkat

Tamarin

I cycled past Carshalton ponds at 9.50am so already 30 minutes behind the club.No worries though as Richard was leading and I suspected he would take a more devious route to Downe.

The café with no name is a lttle cramped but ok for our small group of seven.

Welcome to Gary Bonsall from Wallington,a regular with the Pollards Hill crowd.

The route to lunch was pretty straightforward via Knockholt, turning right downhill to Sundridge,Bessels Green and lunch at The George & Dragon,Chipstead arriving at 12.24pm!!!!

I had to pass comment on this (rare) accomplishment as Richard has a nonchalant attitude to time.

It was interesting to hear from Gary his experiences with the Pollards crowd - quite slow,very urban & no rides over 30 miles...............ever!

We were away well before 2pm which was just as well because I suffered a front tyre blowout and the leader had amnesia just north of Riverhead.We found ourselves on a slippery footpath trying to find the lane that goes to Otford.

Back on route along the Pilgrims Way had me thinking how Richard was gonna get to High Elms,surely a mountainous hill is inevitable?

But no,unknown to me,we were confidently heading toward Tatsfield's "WaterBeaverWorld" for tea.

No-one waited at the junction to the church so leaderless,myself and Ed followed our noses to finally arrive..........but where's Richard?

I took some photo's and Ed ordered the tea..........still no sign of them.

After 20 minutes they arrived puzzled at how we had beaten them.

It soon emerged that they had gone uphill to the further right turn (signposted) and waited for us and Paul alledgedly cycled to the bottom of the hill to look for us.

We all kept together for the return until Gary & Richard peeled off in Stafford Road.

Note: If you ever feel the inclination to visit WaterBeaverWorld,be careful where you leave your bike.The zoo's owner is unconnected to the café and will tell you in no uncertain terms where to put your bike!!!