Kent Caff

A nice sunny morning but with a slight chill in the air saw six of us congregate at Three Bridges Station – John C, Pat, Frank, John H, Norman and me, Bob. John C led us away from the station and up Worth Park Avenue to the roundabout where we headed North along the Balcombe Road. After Pound Hill, to the right of this road is a place called Heathy Ground which has been earmarked as a possible new neighbourhood for the town. However, due to the possible expansion of Gatwick Airport, plans for development there have been put on hold. It will be convenient for the Crematorium though if it ever does get built!
At the next roundabout we turned right and on crossing the Motorway also crossed into Surrey. This road makes for uncomfortable cycling as it’s not all that wide and has a fair amount of fast traffic negotiating its curves. After a mile of its dangers we took a left onto a quiet lane that goes through the backwater that is Burstow. The people living in these parts seem to like greyhounds as you often see a lot of them being walked around. Emerging by Rede Hall we turned left then first right to get back onto the always quiet Cross Lane and Dowlands Lane. Next we turned right onto Smallfield Road and then left up Church Road into Horne. Although short, this was the first of many climbs this week. Turning east once more we headed along Whitewood Lane and then Byers Lane to emerge on the A22. A quick couple of hundred yards and then we were back on a minor road heading towards Tilburstow Hill. This road goes up a couple of hills before the hill bearing its name rears its head but we turned off at the bottom by the Fox and Hounds pub, onto Harts Lane.

Soon this crosses the A22 and generally bearing left we headed north east to Oxted where we encountered another couple of short climbs. Passing the railway station we went under the railway and further through Oxted before using the B269 to cross the M25 as we headed towards Titsey.

Titsey Hill is a full frontal assault on the scarp face of the North Downs, however there’s an escape route to the right just before the hill bites – Pilgrims Lane – so we took it! That road climbs anyway and afforded us good views to the south. Eventually we reached the A233 London Road and swept down it at speed over the M25 to arrive in Westerham for our lunch. In a break with club habit, we lunched at a café rather than a pub. Sat outside, overlooking the village green, we observed hundreds of cyclists climbing the A25 Vicarage Hill which forms the southern edge of the green. Many were wearing Dulwich Cycle Club colours but we never actually found out what the event was.

Here’s a photo of some grumpy old bloke commemorated by a statue on the green:

After lunch we headed west along the A25 before turning south to pass Squerryes Court and start the long climb up Goodley Stock Road. Eventually we reached a T-junction where we turned left to complete the climb before it swiftly took us down Crockham Hill on the B269 before we turned right onto Dairy Lane as the land levelled out. Another slight climb and then a left turn onto Guildables Lane which mainly took us south. By now the sun was hidden by cloud and the wind was more noticeable (and in our faces). We were enjoying the cycling though and there were very few cars around. Monks Lane took us west and then Grants Lane took us south once more. The charmingly named Honeypot Lane lead us to the unusually named Dwelly Lane which took us further south until we reached Haxted Road. Passing Haxted Mill we took the next left down Water Lane. Apparently this is aptly named as John C pointed out that it had been unpassable due to floodwater just a few months ago. From here we took St Piers Lane which goes through what looks like a model village or planned community. It’s St Piers School which is “The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy” according to t’internet.

Now we were in Lingfield and passing the racecourse before climbing the short Town Hill into the middle of the village (Lingfield’s not a town in my book). Now we had to decide whether to use the Newchapel Road or the Godstone Road. Although the former would be the shortest route, it’s also the one with the most traffic and the road itself is quite unpleasant. So the latter got the vote. It took us north then northeast for a couple of miles, followed by half a mile of A22 before gaining the sanctuary of Hare Lane. From here a quick right then a left and we were on Croydon Barn Lane. Passing the road to Horne that we’d used earlier, we were now retracing our steps and turning left into Dowlands Lane we stopped for a breather. Frank was suffering from a stitch so we decided to have a bit of a break. Only trouble was that I needed to get back home as my wife and I were expecting visitors to help us celebrate our wedding anniversary. I made my goodbyes and thanked John for an enjoyable ride before striking off for home. Norman decided to keep me company and we were soon climbing the gradual slope up Copthorne Bank. Norman bade me farewell as he stopped to get some refreshments from a shop and I ploughed on. Now I was by myself I just used the direct route into Crawley along the old A264 (now the A2220), over the M25 and back down Worth Park Avenue to Three Bridges Station. From here it’s just a mile home and I pulled up at my front door with 44 miles on the speedo and half an hour before our first guests arrived. Timing!

Next weeks ride starts at 09:30hrs from Three Bridges Station once again. It’s called the Railway Crossings ride and will be led by Mick. There will be a little quiz at the lunch stop (I think it might be railway related) which is at the Blacksmiths Arms, Adversane (TQ074232). It’s rated as a medium ride and should finish by about 16:00 hrs at the latest.

Don’t forget, the AGM is coming up on Thursday 22nd October at Broadbridge Heath Village Centre. It would be nice to see as many members there as possible so you can let us know what you want your club to provide in the way of rides and events. It’s a 7:30 pm start so you should be able to get there after you’ve had your evening meal.