14 October; Last of the summer All Day Rides

 

All-Day Saturday Ride – 14^th October – Ride Report

By Alan Clark

On a bright, but chilly morning, eleven riders joined the last of the Saturday All-Day Rides for 2023, following a varied, scenic route on quiet lanes and roads through Caterham, Woldingham and Horley before returning via Betchwork, Brockham and Leatherhead to Nonsuch Park.

The riders split into two groups. Four riders starting at Nonsuch Park and seven riders starting at the Pavilion Café, Beddington Park. Both groups met at Caterham for coffee before riding the rest of the route together.

The outward route passed through Wallington, and then followed a beautifully quiet route through Woodcote to Coulsdon, stopping briefly to view the Lord Roberts on the Green (previously a Temperance Inn / Pub that sold no alcohol) in Upper Woodcote Village. The group then descended to Coulsdon on the busier Woodcote Grove Road.

After being caught in traffic approaching the A23 Roundabout in Coulsdon, we turned onto “Ditches Lane” on Farthing Down. Ditches Lane is almost traffic-free and has open space on either side of the road with good views of the surrounding countryside and downs. We all took our time and rode steadily to the top. We stopped at the top for a break and to enjoy the warm sunshine and views across the downs. We had beautiful clear views of London and the surrounding countryside and could even see the London Shard.

After the break, we rode to Chaldon, stopping opposite Chaldon Church to discuss the Chaldon Mural, a twelfth-century mural on the church’s west wall. We then rode through quiet lanes to Caterham-on-the-Hill where we stopped for Coffee at the Café 181. Café 181 is a large café with friendly staff and plenty of space. It had a welcoming atmosphere, plenty of fresh cakes and rolls, and a place to park the bikes. It is worth another visit.

In warm sunshine, we rode as a group through Caterham and then descended the long and steep Burntwood Lane Hill, getting beautiful clear views across Woldingham and the surrounding area on the way down. At the bottom of Burntwood Lane Hill we came to the busy A22 Caterham Bypass Roundabout.

Officially called the Wapses Lodge Roundabout, it was opened in 1939 and was Britain’s first “elevated traffic island” and included a pedestrian subway and foot-tunnel! We used the subway to cycle under the roundabout and join Woldingham Road, before turning right under the rail-arch towards Woldingham School.

At Woldingham School

The road leading up to the school was quiet. It had a steady, easy gradient with open views of well-kept grassland on each side and cows grazing on both sides of the road. We passed the occasional cyclist but saw no cars. We stopped to take a photograph, and to enjoy the scenery and the sun. We then rode through the school’s sports complex which had speed humps across the full width of the road every 100 yards!

After a long descent on Quarry Road and Flower Lane, with good views of the landscape on both sides, we crossed the A25 and rode through Churchtown to The Enterdent. The Enterdent is a short, steep hill on a quiet, but narrow lane with no traffic - apart from a Sainsbury’s van delivering food to a local house on the day of the ride which blocked our way! We all got off our bikes and walked around the van and then rode to the top. Although this stopped our momentum, it provided an opportunity to enjoy this quiet wooded lane, shaded from the sun by trees beside the road.

We regrouped at the top for a short break and then continued through Horne and Smallfield to lunch at the Farmhouse Pub. Luckily, we were able to find enough space inside the pub to have lunch at this popular and busy pub.

After lunch, we followed a relaxed and undulating route on quiet roads, cycle tracks and paths through Salford, Whitebushes and Woodhatch and then on to Betchworth and Brockham. We occasionally stopped on the way to enjoy the views or take a photo – and had clear views of Box Hill in the distance.

We stopped at Brockham Village for a break and to watch local volunteers who were building the Brockham Bonfire. The Bonfire is an annual event, when the local community build a bonfire from hedge trimmings to raise money for good causes. It is held on Brockham Green each year.

Admiring the bonfire being built

Astronauts on the Space Station will be spotting bonfire night in Brockham 

After leaving Brockham, we followed a familiar route through Betchworth Golf Club, then along Reigate Road before turning onto Pixham Lane. We then rode along the Dorking to Leatherhead cycle path, beside the A24, where we could ride and chat safely on our way to Leatherhead for tea.

Tony, Karen and Robert made their own way home from Leatherhead.  The rest of the group had tea and cake at Lucio’s Café before riding on our usual route back through Ashtead, Epsom, and Ewell to Nonsuch Park. Helen, Steph and Alyson broke away at Epsom, leaving the remainder of the group to ride to Nonsuch before dark.

Many thanks to everyone who came on the ride for making it such an enjoyable day; and to Tony, Paul, Maggie and Steph for leading, back-marking and support. Thanks also to Tim C for the route between Caterham and Leatherhead, and to Paul and Tony for the routes to Farthing Down.

An enjoyable day with good weather and some great scenery along the way.