Ken and I decided to try to cycle to Chaldon Church today via Farthing Downs. Two weeks ago the beautiful autumn sunshine meant that our planned route was curtailed at the top of the Farthing Downs climb by a roadblock of cars trying to get in to a full car park. Not today, the cold and threatening rain was perfect for a clear ride. We left Beddington park to cycle through the back streets of Wallington, waving to Ray as we passed his house.
We crossed Foxley Lane and cycled down Millionaires Row to Woodcote Village Green where we stopped to put our lights on as it darkened and we were on the A237 down to Coulsdon. Over the roundabout and we began the climb up Marlpit Lane before turning right and changing down several gears in my case slowly, in Ken's case rapidly on his electric bike, to ascend Ditches Lane. At the top where the wind tried to send us into the ditches we continued past the car park as the road first became beautiful and leafy but deteriorated significantly to a wet, leaf strewn pot holed track at Chaldon church. We stopped to admire this Saxon church which was open for private prayer only. We'll visit the famous wall painting, dating from about 1200, and the earliest known English Wall painting, another time.
We turned back, admiring the Shard on the skyline, to descend Ditches Lane for tea in DD's in Coulsdon. Or rather tea outside and across the road!
The return ride started on Woodman Road where we crossed the railway line to tackle the second hill of the day, Grove Lane.
At the top we turned right to join The Bridleway through the golf course and then Meadow Hill. Eventually we joined the A237 briefly before turning into the Woodcote Village Green and we retraced our 'wheels' back to Wallington. A lovely afternoon and no rain !
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