Sunday 8th Nov

[Andrew G]

Weather permitting (won't go if it's dreadful, light rain or showers and I will):

Date: Sunday 8/11.
Place: GBs.
Time: 9am.
Pace: Steady (18/19s CR effort, probably more 19s).
Route: A flattish double loop - 1st loop is Pilgrims Way and Polhill and drops you in to Coney Hall after approximately 30 miles, you could head for home (through West Wickham for Croydon) if time is tight. 2nd loop goes from Coney Hall up to Layhams Farm and out to turn at Titsey, back through Tatsfield and Downe to drop back in at Coney Hall again. Total distance approximately 50 miles.

Sunday rules, so know the area or bring a map (although it's never far from Croydon and doesn't go outside the M25), no waiting.

Although fairly flat I wouldn't recommend fixed, I won't be using mine, as I'm going down Hessier's Hill which is not fun on a fixed wheel. A few lumps but no major hills.

[Dombo]

Map and a big ball of string for me then.

[Andrew G]

[url=http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3298071]Map[/url].
1st loop heads straight down then furthest east and follow north to just south of West Wickham, 2nd loop cuts up to the right of New Addington, then across to furthest west, then the line up the middle through Biggin Hill to finish the same way as loop one just after Downe. Simples.

[carl f]

might dig the winter bike and mudguards out and join you for some part of this andrew
Cheers
Carl

[carl f]

doubtful i'll be out for this, enjoy your ride
Carl

[Will]

Jim Bowen (super, smashing, great, etc.) used to be a regular at the Polhill Arms

[Sylv]

I'm hoping to come Andrew. Think I'm glad it's the flatish loop, I haven't been able to do any exercise whatsover in 12 days and put on 3kg. Don't wait if I'm not here on time.

[Roy Green]

You know you can do it, Sylv. I won't be there, so nothing to fear.

[Andrew G]

Nice ride, just Jon H, Grahame and myself today.

After the longish drag up Beddlestead Jon got a puncture, unfortunately one of those ones where whatever caused it is so small you can't find anything sticking through the tyre. Grahame said he was going to cut back up the Dulwich Paragon CR route to get back as he had folks arriving mid-morning (or maybe he was disputing my definition of flattish ), so Jon and I waved ta ta as we started descending Botley.

Along Pilgrims Way and Jon had another puncture, this time the darstedly spiky thing was spotted and removed. At the end of Pilgrims Way we bumped in to an Old Ports CR and the lane's Andrew Green count doubled . A hello to the other AG and Ian Bashford who was gazing about a bit like a boy lost working out where he should take them next, I think he was trying to come up with an excuse to avoid going up Sundridge Hill .

Up and over Polhill and down through Halstead and on to Shire Lane heading towards Coney Hall. Jon said he'd cut off after the first loop as he didn't have any tubes left and didn't want to push his luck, or have to get the repair kit out. I decided that in that case I'd turn left at the end of Shire and climb up to Downe and return through Biggin Hill and Tatsfield, effectively reversing the 2nd loop and giving me a nicer final few miles back down Featherbed Lane rather than having to head back along the mad mile bike path.

Thanks to Jon and Grahame for the company.

Hope your knee's okay Sylv and you get the all clear from the scan.

[Antloony]

I over slept Was hoping to get out with you guys today but I hit the off button and not the snooze button on my phone. I came home early last night as well so I wouldn't sleep in.....DOH.

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="Will"]Jim Bowen (super, smashing, great, etc.) used to be a regular at the Polhill Arms