Cycle to Factory Lane?? That's Croydon dump!!

 Friday morning was dry, at last! Ken & I discussed on the phone our Saturday ride but more rain was forecast. 

 Ken was about to cycle to Factory Lane, Croydon, because his 'Click & Collect' was going to be there on Monday but he didn't know the back streets of Croydon or the one-way system.  So why not cycle together now and work out the car route with Ken?

It was colder than it looked and we met as before at the Demesne Road /Croydon Road junction.  We started off on the well cycled route from Beddington Park, along the Wandle to the now derelict  John Lewis building.  We crossed Purley Way and cycled up Waddon Road and across the railway bridge.  Turning left on Waddon New Road we nearly continued on the cyclist only stretch of road but that was no use to Ken when he would be in his car.

We therefore turned right up Rectory Close with the A236 ahead. This busy road thankfully had a cycle track on the pavement which took us to Factory Lane.  We cycled past Croydon dump  and found the 'Click and Collect'. Retracing our route we discovered that Ken would have to rejoin the A236 and travel in what appeared to be the wrong direction. Luckily I knew that if Ken were to drive or cycle in that direction he would eventually get to the Lombard roundabout where he could turn left on the Purley Way or go straight across for Mitcham.  We cycled on the pavement, the road was very busy with large vehicles all one hopes obeying the essential journeys only rule!

                                          Wandle Park welcomes considerate cyclists! 

Turning back on ourselves we decided to stop off at Wandle Park for coffee. Unfortunately this wasn't to be as the cafe was closed. We did a quick circuit of the park leaving it on Vicarage Road and rejoining Wandle Road before making our way back to Beddington Park. 

I hope Ken gets his shopping ok on Monday. It was good to be out in the dry weather.