Sunday Ride: 14th August 2016

Another good warm summer’s day and Tom V back at the helm. A fast exit via Marden Park observing the rather pathetic attempts to resurface the private track at the top – just isolated sections rather than the whole.

A traffic jam with horses, cyclists and reversing cars down the hill contrasted with the expected horror of the A22 at Godstone – except the dual carriageway section had been closed leaving us the sole users of this normally busy road. Thence left threading our way through Crowhurst, Lingfield and Dormansland to Cowden and one of Tom’s favourite lanes.

Here Ken’s chain started to become rather attached to the chainring. Oil was applied and he limped with us into Pooh Corner at Hartsfield. A really great cafe.

The trip from Hartsfield to the pub stop at Turner’s Hill was dominated by the stupendous views across Kent to the North Downs from the ridge near Ashdown Park. Wych Cross, Sharpthorne a great undulating ride to the wonderful Red Lion, gardens, mild and pork scratchings and a Morris Oxford.

A canter home via Outfield, Nutfield and Merstham. 56.13 miles an average moving speed of 13.31 mph.