PurleySquire
Retrobike Rider
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Following last weekend's successful recce of the route I would like to offer it as a group ride for October.
The starting point is Bromley South railway station, a handy transport hub for anyone in the South East of the Country, well served by express trains from pretty much anywhere in Kent. For those on the South coast, note that I will be riding via East Croydon station to reach the start point. It takes at least 45 minutes to go from East Croydon to Bromley by train, but only 20 minutes by bike, so I can provide a handy tour guide service.
Within minutes you will be whisked away from the hectic city life and soon be immersed in a hidden world of horse stud farms, playing fields, football grounds and common land. This gives way to dense woodland and open fields as the route heads further South across Hayes Common towards the historic airfield at Biggin Hill (optional visit for war/aviation buffs).
Turning West we will head down the exciting bridleway to Furze Bottom, followed by a lung busting climb to the viewpoint at Higham's Hill. To recharge our batteries there will be a pub stop at The White Bear in Fickleshole.
Heading North there will be a brief spell of road riding before getting back into the woodlands of Fryland's Scout Camp. Some more open riding alongside Addington Golf Club will bring us to the charming Selsdon Woods Nature Reserve.
A brief food stop at Selsdon will provide the ideal opportunity to re-fuel before the climb to the top of the Shirley Hills for some stunning views (weather permitting) over the whole of London from Wembely right across to rural Essex. On the final descent of the day we will stop to see one of London's last surviving working windmills.
To conclude there will be the option of a leisurely road ride back to the starting point at Bromley South, or an alternative road based short cut to East Croydon.
This ride is extensively off road so would suit all styles of mountain bike from cross country to all mountain with a recommended minimum tyre size of 26 x 1.75. Likewise heavy duty hybrid bikes with 700c x 40 tyres will be suitable. The route could be muddy in places so knobbly tyres are to be recommended.
The route involves a certain amount of climbing and the total length could be around 30 miles, therefore it would suit the average to fitter rider. There is the option to do a half ride as far as the White Bear pub and take an unguided "easy" road route back towards civilisation, but it would still involve about a further 5 miles of riding to the nearest train station.
Definitely Coming:
Flossyrockstar
Not Coming:
Secret_Squirrel
The starting point is Bromley South railway station, a handy transport hub for anyone in the South East of the Country, well served by express trains from pretty much anywhere in Kent. For those on the South coast, note that I will be riding via East Croydon station to reach the start point. It takes at least 45 minutes to go from East Croydon to Bromley by train, but only 20 minutes by bike, so I can provide a handy tour guide service.
Within minutes you will be whisked away from the hectic city life and soon be immersed in a hidden world of horse stud farms, playing fields, football grounds and common land. This gives way to dense woodland and open fields as the route heads further South across Hayes Common towards the historic airfield at Biggin Hill (optional visit for war/aviation buffs).
Turning West we will head down the exciting bridleway to Furze Bottom, followed by a lung busting climb to the viewpoint at Higham's Hill. To recharge our batteries there will be a pub stop at The White Bear in Fickleshole.
Heading North there will be a brief spell of road riding before getting back into the woodlands of Fryland's Scout Camp. Some more open riding alongside Addington Golf Club will bring us to the charming Selsdon Woods Nature Reserve.
A brief food stop at Selsdon will provide the ideal opportunity to re-fuel before the climb to the top of the Shirley Hills for some stunning views (weather permitting) over the whole of London from Wembely right across to rural Essex. On the final descent of the day we will stop to see one of London's last surviving working windmills.
To conclude there will be the option of a leisurely road ride back to the starting point at Bromley South, or an alternative road based short cut to East Croydon.
This ride is extensively off road so would suit all styles of mountain bike from cross country to all mountain with a recommended minimum tyre size of 26 x 1.75. Likewise heavy duty hybrid bikes with 700c x 40 tyres will be suitable. The route could be muddy in places so knobbly tyres are to be recommended.
The route involves a certain amount of climbing and the total length could be around 30 miles, therefore it would suit the average to fitter rider. There is the option to do a half ride as far as the White Bear pub and take an unguided "easy" road route back towards civilisation, but it would still involve about a further 5 miles of riding to the nearest train station.
Definitely Coming:
Flossyrockstar
Not Coming:
Secret_Squirrel
