Big Smurf: Camberwell to Chiddingstone

The Ride

Setting out from Camberwell we headed out through Bromley down over the North Downs towards Chiddingstone and Penshurst before heading back up to York's Hill and back to London.

Riders

Denzil, Al, Andy, Grant, Julian, Inaki.

Notably missing were Raph (flying back from India) and John Edwards (enjoying the luxury of the Celebrity Eclipse Cruise liner) Alright for some.

Final Distance

81 miles - Grant, Andy

84 miles - Al

87 miles - Julian and Inaki

87 miles - Denzil (Caught train back from Orpington)

Weather

Fantastic - hot, clear blue skys.

Description of route

The first part of the route was just getting out of London and we headed out via Catford and Bromley. We headed towards Biggin Hill and turned right onto New Road Hill to Downe. Go left past monument down Cudham Road towards the 25% at Downe Road. Just before top of road turn right down another 25% road called Church Hill. Cycling towards Jail lane take the first left, Buckhurst Road and follow down to Hawleys Corner. Careful when crossing road and go straight over to Rag Hill Road and cycle along until you get to a crossroads - go straight across onto Ship Hill which turns into Approach Road.

At end of this road go straight across up White Lane. At end of White Lane you will come to Titsey Hill, turn right and then take the first (hidden) right onto Pilgrims Way. Cycle along Pilgrims Way until you get to Hogtrough Hill (approx 4th turning on the left). Nice steep hill. At top turn right and head down and around to Brasted Hill Road. Nice long descent. Turn right and head for short distance along A25 and take the first right up North Road towards Ide Hill.

At Ide Hill follow road around to the right onto Ide Hill Road. Take this nice long descent down by side of resovoir to Bough Beech and take road to Chiddingstone. From Chiddingstone take the right turn at the Oast House out of Chiddingstone and follow the road down to a fork, where you take the right turn and after Trugger Farm take the next left. Stay on this road to High Weald, taking the second left towards Penshurst. At Penshurst take the road towards Leigh and then the first left towards Chiddingstone Causeway. At the T-junction with the B2027 turn left and then along the road to take the second right and carry along past Hale Oak Cottage towards Sevenoaks Weald. Take the left down Bozwell Road and up Bayleys Hill. At t-junction turn left as though going back on yourself and follow road around up Ryecroft Road.

Take the left turn up towards York's Hill. Now this is where you can either ride by this famous hill climb or, like us, you can ride down to the farm and then ride back up. Whatever you do , you will then need to go down Nightingale Road until you come to a cross roads, then ride straight over and follow road round to left until you come to road down to Sundridge. At the A25 go straight over and up Ovenden Road to Sundridge Hill.

At t- junction at end of road turn left and then first right down Shelleys Road and follow road to Cackets Lane. At end of Cackets Lane take right through Cudham and then down hill towards Downe. A good 25% descent to go back down on Cudham Road to Downe and new road Hill until you hit Westerham Road (A233). take right and head back towards Bromley and the route you started on.

The Photos

Well i did agree not to take everyone up Church Hill, but forgot to let them know that the road we were about to take also had a 25% climb - oooooooooooooooops silly me.

The narrow country lanes heading out towards Titsey and Pilgrims Way were beautiful though beware of the potholes. I ended up getting a blow-out on one descent.

Grant mending the second puncture of the day while we all watch on. How long does it really take to mend a puncture?

Some of us take the time to sit down, relax, eat, post a letter and take in the sun on Avenue Road.

Denzil and Al coming to top of North Road and into Ide Hill.

Julian and Al at Ide hill, taking a welcome rest and pleased to hear it was all downhill to Chiddingstone.

Yes, it's me, any opportunity to show off my new cycling top and spoil the calm :))))). Smile guys, you are enjoying this.

The boys sitting in the shade - was the sun too hot???? Did you need to rest your legs???

Denzil and Grant contemplating their navels.

Hills and Ups

And yes Al, I do know my ups from my downs. It's my right from my left i have issues with.

North Road up to Ide Hill (nice steady climb)

Bayleys Hill (nice steady climb)

Yorks Hill (One big steep Mamma)

We had to go down in order to come back up. It was a hard battle, but finally i managed to persuade those reluctant voices to come down York's Hill. We went as far as the farm (the road is quite rough near the bottom) and then headed back up.

The hill has become famous for the hill time trials that have been held for many years. The Modern Version has been held on York's Hill near Sevenoaks, Kent since 1939 and the event record of 1min 47.6secs was set by Phil Mason (San Fairy Ann CC) in 1983.

http://www.catfordcc.co.uk/Open%20Hill%20Climb%20-%20main.html

The top looking down - notice the yellow signs.

Looking back up York's Hill

We all came back up apart from Julian who was nursing a poorly knee, but thanks to Julian we had some photographic evidence of our assent.

Inaki (We did this last week too - went down to come back up - you would think he would have learnt by now).

Denzil - he said it was easier than last time.

Al - put up a struggle, but i knew she wouldn't be able to resist the challenge (second up).

Andy - what can i say - it was great.

Grant - wasn't happy. Is he ever???

Sundridge Hill (long steady climb)

Hogtrougth Hill - Just off the beautiful Pilgrims Way this little hill was a great detour - totally uncecessary but totally irressitable. The joys of knowing and arranging the route - you can throw in some little suprises.

Downe Road (25%)

Hogtrougth Hill

Inaki tackling the 25% hill.

Denzil tackling Downe Road.

Al Julian and Grant on Downe Road.

Descents

Brasted Hill (was a nice relief after Hogtrough Hill)

York's Hill (yes, we had to go down it in order to be able to come back up.

Church Road (25%)

Downe Road/Church Hill (25%) On our way back we were able to come down this hill.

Food

Chiddingstone

http://www.chiddingstone.net

Having tried to get in to the cafe/restausrant a few yards away, but sadly turned away as it was full of 19 roadies. The big wooden doors closed on us to allow the kitchen time to cope witht the bikers. We went for a 30 minute loop beyond Chiddingstone in order to give the bikers time to finish, but it was not to be (they were proabably pigging out on cake).

So we tried the pub next door - the Castle Inn.

Nice garden and with plenty of space for our bikes. The staff were friendly and helpful and the food delicious. The ploughmans was a real treat and the treacle tart was the best we had ever had. If the experience we had is normal then i heartely recommend this as a great place to stop, whether on your bike or not.

The nicest Ploughmans - the Scotch Egg was mmmmmmmmmm :)))))

Check out the thick cut ham and the little pickled onions.

The best Treacle Tart ever - apart from it being a bit small or perhaps us being a bit greedy.

For Denzil the opportunity to catch a few minutes of shut eye proved too much.

Getting some sleep seemed to be on julians mind too. Come on boys

we are only half way round :))))))))))))) More hills anyone?

Inaki took time to take a nice portrait of Julian. Currently having problems with his neice mm

i mean knees, but hopefully they will be ok for the upcoming Alps trip in June. Otherwise, a wheelchair in the Alps might be the only option - descending will be fun :)))))))))

Riding out from Chiddingstone on our way back and towards Penshurst.

Al & Grant smiling after their hearty lunch. Ready for the trials of the day.

A photo opportunity while Inaki mended his tyre.

Come on Inaki i am bored now - how long does it take to mend a tyre (says the man who mended his and put the old tube back in by mistake and then had to start all over again).