Great ride - one of Pete's alternatives this time to Lullingstone. A big group - 18 of us. Quite a fair old pace to start with with a good few challenging climbs thrown in. I was seriously worried I was going to fall off the back and I thought it was meant to be a social ride.
Headed out along the downs and up to the Spinning Wheel where we came across a gathering of Dulwich Paragon all resplendent in their sky blue kit - we in contrast looked like a bunch of lycra clad gypsies
(fortunately a few of us were keeping up appearences and trying to maintain ACC standards by wearing the gold, black and white - well done, I have noted names in my little red book!
). We waved and exchanged pleasantries - yes, they actually said good morning!!
John punctured just before the cafe and Connor punctured in the cafe
. Nice chat (main topic of conversation was the dentist who found a dog's micro chip in someone's cavity and the story just had to be true as Pete's auntie's best friend's daughter in law knew the dentist
), nice coffee and cake and we were back on our way.
Returned via Pilgrims way - I said my goodbyes at the top of Clarkes Lane as I headed off to Redhill as the rest of the group turned down Beddlestead Lane.
Thanks Pete for leading the ride and everyone else for the company - great fun. I'd really recommend giving these alternative rides a try.
85 kms @ just over 24 kph door to door but my computer was playing up a bit so not sure if that's accurate or not.