A Group, 15 August

Caterham-on-the-Hill - Chiddingstone - Fanny's

The babbling forecasters all agreed – heavy rain. They were wrong. Undeterred by the tea-leaves, an octet saddled up to leave the comfort of Caterham-on-the Hill Brunton Centre for a foray into the ups and downs of Kent. We started off with a descent, followed by a longish climb up Woldingham Rd to follow The Ridge to Botley Hill. Then it was downhill again towards Westerham before dropping down Rectory Lane and Clacket Lane. The surface (what surface there was) left something to be desired, as did an on-coming lorry peeling back the hedgerows as it advanced and we retired.

We crossed the A25 by the Grasshopper to start the gentle rise of Moorhouse Road, until Dave’s Marathon tyre proved unequal to the penetrating power of glass. The volunteer spirit prevailed and with spirits reinflated, we pressed on to Limpsfield Chart and down Trevereux Hill past the Marie Curie Research Centre to Swaynesland and the foot of Crockham Hill. No time to visit Chartwell, so we made a smart pace to Four Elms and Bough Beech. Now within spitting distance of Chiddingstone, the gremlins took a bite out of Brian’s tyre. A team of domestiques supported him, while the rest completed the last few furlongs to the Castle Inn at Chiddingstone.

The food was fine and the Larkins beer from the small, local brewery was excellent. The Platinum Blond demands attention, though not from monocular John, who dropped a lens at lunch. The brewery has been going for some 25 years, but the beers are only available within a 30 mile radius. It was a shame that we did not have time to drop in but had to cycle past, as well as postpone a visit to the Chiding Stone. Our return was pretty flat via Four Elms, Marlpit Hill, Stafffhurst (where we did stop to see St Silvan’s Church), Tilburstow (not flat) and Merstham to take a late tea and cake at Fanny’s.

Apologies from the leader, who blotted his copybook by pressing on at Tilburstow, where Brian was carrying out the invaluable duties of TEC. We came together for the last hill and the ride up Harp’s Oak Lane, also not very flat. Though mileage was modest (53 miles for me), we were often fighting the clock and some had many a mile to go before reaching home. Tony, I hope that you got home in the light and John, I hope that you made the start of the Prom. Many thanks for the good company and good cheer.

Jeff