Sunday Ride: 9th April 2017

A select group set off on a sunny day to Ightham Mote. Ricki had lost his bottle by Sanderstead by pressed on and fixed it (above) on the Pigrim’s Way.

Meanwhile young Frank all fizzed up on his new Wiler persuaded Tom to take us up Beddlestead Lane. What used to be an Anerley secret is now the ascent of choice for every hill-fancying rider in the district. A bit of a problem if you are not the fastest!

The next hill was sponsored by Jim M in Sevenoaks. A few, or to be more precise, a lot of ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ brought us to Ightham Mote. The relief after 24 miles led to a lack of concentration and several riders not spotting the ‘humps’ sign or the actual humps or even both. No road marking and sharp but not sweet left a couple of riders with bruised hands. Too bruised to pen an admonishing letter to the National Trust?

Admiring the audacity of the NT to convert what would have been an incredible walled garden into a car park we moved on after tea and cake. Posing only for the obligatory photoshot.

The next hill also had a sponsor. His name is Tom V and the experience of toiling up the busy A21 back towards Sevenoaks with the temperature soaring to a 2017 record will long be remembered but not repeated …

The next stop was an old facourite. The Cock Inn at Ide Hill. The living image of Tom shows either very forgiving riders or short memories. Or both?

It was busy, very busy. Frank relates how on a grassy knoll in front of pub Ajay was telling us about his superb plums [Prunus domestica] and pears [Pyrus communis] he grows in his Crystal Palace residence garden. He said is a master of successfully planting fruit tree cuttings in the soil and he will bring a sample of the pears to a ride in due course. It was suggested he held a Summer Anerley ‘fete’ in his garden. Ajay seemed quite taken with the idea i.e. BBQ! Albanian grapes great but wine not so good.

Tom’s other bike is a Roller but at least in Anerley Colours … unlike the gorgeous V12 Jag E-Type Roadster in front.

Down Ide Hill. Up Clarks Lane and back home. Summer has arrived!
48.65 miles @ 11.40 mph