On paper I
wouldn’t have expected many to turn out for this ride which was out of our
(recent) normal area and also clashed with the Dieppe Raids and an England
World Cup match, so I was very pleased to see Ed, Lilian, Keith and Graham at
the experimental meeting place. It was
lovely morning which made the ride through Morden, Mitcham Common, Croydon
North End, Addiscombe, Shirley, West Wickham and Norman Park a little more
palatable. We had a good elevenses at
Petts Wood Wetherspoons and were joined there by Bob and Richard. All continued to lunch at Cudham, Bob taking
his own route. The rest of us rose and
fell (but mainly rose) through some lovely, quiet lanes via St Mary Cray,
Chelsfield, Pratts Bottom, Halsted and Knockholt. There were some steady climbs but there was
also plenty of shade. I was introduced
to the Blacksmiths Arms at Cudham several years ago by Andy Coxhill and was
impressed then by the efficient service and beautiful gardens. I am pleased to report there has been no
change, but we should probably have devoted more attention to the Little Titch
memorabilia in the bar! After lunch some
opted to ride back home but I felt it my duty as leader to show Ed and Lilian the way to
Orpington station, a gruelling downhill ride of at least three miles, and to
accompany them to Waterloo to ensure their safe passage! No train problems today! Many thanks to all for your company and for
what I hope was an enjoyable visit to what were old haunts for some of us and
new territory for others!
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