Sunday Ride: 17th April 2016
So the sunshine was a great way to lull you into a false sense of security because the air was pretty chilly as we left Purley on our daylong Odyssey through the wilderness of Kent.
Leaving Purley at 8 am in clear blue skies meant that the views across to London and over to Ide Hill were crystal clear. Geoff, Julia, Jim, Barry, Tim, Frank, Stuart and myself.
Pilgrims Way, Chipstead Village and Sevenoaks were very empty and we made good progress upwards to Riverhead. At this early point I heard the question about “Is this the hilly bit?”. Thanks for the laugh Barry…
We pulled into Tonbridge at 10.10 in good time to hunt for Finch’s House Tea Room where Ken was waiting for us serenely having taken the train. As I queued up for my cuppa (actually a refined pot of tea) I spied Jeremy sheepishly waiting for his breakfast. At this point Jim headed homewards leaving 9 of us to carry on towards Hawkhurst a further 25 miles away.
The Weald of Kent is pretty lumpy but the views and countryside are more than suitable compensation. Thanks to the route from Tomtom’s tour book we stayed on small, narrow lanes all the way to Goudhurst where we faced our only steep climb of the day. A stiff 100m straight up to a magnificent view facing the North Downs in the distance. Another fast descent and several ups and downs and we were at Hawkhurst for lunch.
The Oak and Ivy was a good feeding place and we managed to crowd around a table shoveling calories down before the afternoon session. Good value and apparently good beer!
The route homewards took us through the pretty villages of Stonegrave and Wadhurst where Julia took a train home. Much later on Tim realised that the reason it looked familiar was because that’s where his Grandparents lived and he hadn’t cycled around there for some 30 years!
More hills to Frant and then more cool countryside before Jeremy left us near Groombridge. This was where Stuart had the first of his punctures. We stopped at the very upmarket Dorset Arms for more refreshments while Stuart searched in vain for the cause of his puncture.
In through Hartfield and then Butcherfield Lane in to Holtye. A good place for another puncture thought Stuart so some waited at the cross while Ken donated a self adhesive patch to get Stuart home.
Frank took his own route home via Edenbridge while I decided to take the rest back the more scenic way through the Hammerwood and Lingfield.
Barry sprinted off up the hill to Marden Park leaving the rest of us somewhat speechless and feeling a bit inadequate. I don’t know what drugs he is on or what he is putting in his porridge but its time to find out!
I was home at 7.45 and had a shower before falling asleep with a mouth full of noodles.
Many thanks Tomtom for the book with this great ride in it.
Frank on the other hand needed more adventure but had it on his own. “Called in the The Royal Oak Crockham Hill for pick me up but diners in a queue so gave up. Nice Sunday evening singing trio. Did not fancy Crockham Hill/Limpsfield/Titsey Hill] so turned right to Westerham. Got up 1st hill but not quite to top of 2nd hill before a short walk. It was freezing descending down to A25 Quebec House junction. Bought a packet of 4 Mars bars in village and demolished 2 and rejuvenated set off for Pilgrims Way, Rectory Lane and Clarks Lane to the top for Warlingham.”
“Got home at 08.21pm seeing brill sunset at a somewhat reduced speed along Limpsfield Rd when it was 2 diameters above the horizon. Set at 08.00 pm.”