The ride is urban along the back of Sutton and Wallington, across Purley Way and through South Croydon and then becomes more suburban along Croham Valley Road. This was a long incline to the crossroads at Selsdon but the road surface is good quality and we had a following wind.
Up to the top of the Downs at Farleigh, where you hit a more rural setting, it was a bit more lumpy to stretch the legs and we rolled through Warlingham and the descent to Marden Park down Bug Hill at 17%. This was accomplished without incident and the ride along the valley past Woldingham School never fails to please.
We then swooped down over the M25 to Godstone and arrived at Knight's Garden Centre cafe after a ride of just over 2 hours. There was some muttering from the cafe staff about so many (9!) turning up without prior notice, but we all got served eventually and it was pleasant to get out of the cold wind.
After riding up to Bletchingly we descended past the Golf Course to join Sustrans route 21 at the foot of the Downs to rejoin the road just before Merstham. The ride up Markedge Lane to the now closed Fanny's Farm further tested the legs, as did the final climb up Rectory Lane to Woodmansterne where the majority peeled off.
The ride was Approx 35 miles, with no punctures rather surprisingly considering the road surfaces in places. Thanks to Stephanie for back marking.
All day rides on the third Saturday each month during the winter months will still take place except for one in December and I will announce details on the Blog a week or so before.
I will draw the line at ice, snow and heavy rain and gales but otherwise remember, there is no such thing as bad weather, only wearing the wrong gear.
