A Group 24 June

A lovely day and thanks to David Vine's effort's a fine ride into territory most of us hadn't previously visited. In spite of which, but probably because of Dieppe, holidays and other commitments we were a very select group of 5 ( Neil, Ged, Peter, John B and me) - the smallest A group I can remember for a long time. Maybe we should repeat this sometime for greater benefit.

So to start it was the familiar switchback to cross the A22 and up through Woldingham, but then we veered off Clarks Lane to go along Chestnut Avenue through the woods to Hawley's Corner. As we stopped to check the route we were joined by a group from Kingston Wheelers, who had passed us earlier but then stopped at the top of the climb,  whose Garmins were being equally unhelpful but we suggested they take Rag Hill Road rather than the rough stuff. On to Knockholt with little of the traffic we encountered at school time in March then down to Otford and along the Pilgrims Way to the George and Dragon at Wrotham.

We returned the same way to Otford then along the bottom of the escarpment to Clarks Lane. At the top we turned north through Ficklesole after which reality struck as we were thrust into the traffic of Addington along Coombe Road to the Coach House cafe at Coombe Wood, again a first for most. Having taken the precaution of plotting a route home I then led back through South Croydon and Stafford Road to Belmont and Ewell with the others peeling off where it suited.

44.5 miles to tea, 13.3mph and 2900 ft of climbing ( plus 1000 to get to Caterham for me!) 

The group on the top of the Downs with the London skyline in the background.