The Three Horseshoes, Knockholt Pound
A forecast of blue skies and temperatures in the eighties promised a warm ride, perhaps a little hot for some. As there is no way to approach Caterham without a climb of some sort, riders arrived at the Douglas Brunton Centre gently glowing, the odd bead of sweat on the brow. With an invitation to Bernard’s Crystal Palace on the programme, the prospect of sun-loungers and pool-side pina coladas was clearly going to be irresistible for some. The group therefore split into sybarites for Sydenham and Spartans for Sundridge.
The start was easy, a swift downhill to the A22 followed by a long haul up Woldingham Road. At this point, Steve began to wonder if his choice of a 70" fixed had been entirely wise. However, a body count near the top revealed two missing in action, Bob and Phil. As nobody appeared, it was opined they must be taking an alternative route. We then followed the Ridge to Botley Hill and a white knuckle descent of White Lane (Bec Hill Climb), blocked at one point by a probably sat-nav inspired traffic jam and an elderly driver mystifyingly attempting a 3 point turn...
More desperate braking took us from Titsey Hill into Pilgrim’s Lane and an invigorating canter along the Pilgrims Way, with Mark looking longingly at all the tempting climbs on our left that we were so stubbornly resisting. We skirted the Foreign Secretary’s country residence in Chevening Park and for a while followed the G10/38 along Sundridge Road past Smelly Corner to the roundabout at the foot of Polhill. Here we transposed into the GH35 for the climb of Star Hill, the last climb of the morning before lunch at the top of the hill at the Three Horseshoes at Knockholt Pound.
We gathered outside the pub while Mark went round to remove the padlock to the garden gate. Profuse apologies to Paul and John, whom we expected to appear. They must have passed within a few hundred yards of the pub. Here Pete was already in residence, though no sign of Grant, who had changed his plan and decided to spurn the hills and lunch in Westerham. We sat outside and the diners were very firmly served good fare by the most imposing landlady with more than a slight country burr.
After lunch, with Pete again deciding to follow his own route, we headed west along Main Road with surely all the climbs behind us. However, the grimpeurs were not to be too disappointed. Shelley’s Lane gave a little sting to the legs. Then it was Cudham and the deeply rutted surface of New Barn Lane to Tatsfield and the Reptile Zoo. Back once again at the top of White Lane, we head north along Beddlestead Lane to Hesier’s Hill, then downhill all the way along Featherbed Lane, up Gravel Hill past Addington Palace, across the tram lines and down Coombe Lane to our tea-time stop at the refurbished and renamed Coach House Café, in the splendid gardens of Coombe Wood. Grant joins us for tea; we admire the gardens, then separate to find our own ways home.
An easy day with just 50 miles in the saddle.
As for the exam results: with four lost en route – a dismal fail! I shall just have to re-read those guidance notes and apply for a resit for a Leader's licence.
The start was easy, a swift downhill to the A22 followed by a long haul up Woldingham Road. At this point, Steve began to wonder if his choice of a 70" fixed had been entirely wise. However, a body count near the top revealed two missing in action, Bob and Phil. As nobody appeared, it was opined they must be taking an alternative route. We then followed the Ridge to Botley Hill and a white knuckle descent of White Lane (Bec Hill Climb), blocked at one point by a probably sat-nav inspired traffic jam and an elderly driver mystifyingly attempting a 3 point turn...
More desperate braking took us from Titsey Hill into Pilgrim’s Lane and an invigorating canter along the Pilgrims Way, with Mark looking longingly at all the tempting climbs on our left that we were so stubbornly resisting. We skirted the Foreign Secretary’s country residence in Chevening Park and for a while followed the G10/38 along Sundridge Road past Smelly Corner to the roundabout at the foot of Polhill. Here we transposed into the GH35 for the climb of Star Hill, the last climb of the morning before lunch at the top of the hill at the Three Horseshoes at Knockholt Pound.
We gathered outside the pub while Mark went round to remove the padlock to the garden gate. Profuse apologies to Paul and John, whom we expected to appear. They must have passed within a few hundred yards of the pub. Here Pete was already in residence, though no sign of Grant, who had changed his plan and decided to spurn the hills and lunch in Westerham. We sat outside and the diners were very firmly served good fare by the most imposing landlady with more than a slight country burr.
After lunch, with Pete again deciding to follow his own route, we headed west along Main Road with surely all the climbs behind us. However, the grimpeurs were not to be too disappointed. Shelley’s Lane gave a little sting to the legs. Then it was Cudham and the deeply rutted surface of New Barn Lane to Tatsfield and the Reptile Zoo. Back once again at the top of White Lane, we head north along Beddlestead Lane to Hesier’s Hill, then downhill all the way along Featherbed Lane, up Gravel Hill past Addington Palace, across the tram lines and down Coombe Lane to our tea-time stop at the refurbished and renamed Coach House Café, in the splendid gardens of Coombe Wood. Grant joins us for tea; we admire the gardens, then separate to find our own ways home.
An easy day with just 50 miles in the saddle.
As for the exam results: with four lost en route – a dismal fail! I shall just have to re-read those guidance notes and apply for a resit for a Leader's licence.
2 comments:
A certain Italian rider also failed being observed crossing the traffic lights on Red in Croydon!
We know whose influence that is! Once too often and he'll end up as bolognese sauce - or pc plod will confiscate his wheels.
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