Trevor, Paul White, Paul Martin and Dave Elliot joined me at the Swan and Sugar Loaf in South Croydon. the previous evening I had gone over my maps to plot out a route which would firstly include some new roads which the others may not have ridden before, and secondly to make sure that we did not spend long periods riding into the strong winds that were forecast.
For a change we made our way up the Selsdon Road before turning right and climbing up through some of the more upmarket residential roads that Croydon has to offer. From Sanderstead to Warlingham we then shot off down Slines Oak Road before slowing down dramatically as we hauled ourselves up to the top of Woldingham village. Paul Martin said good bye here; not feeling too good he decided to cut his ride short.
We head off to the ridge where we dropped down into Godstone before climbing up the Enterdent, a road that I have gone down often but never up. It was toughish but not as bad as I thought it would be. Coming out at the top of Tilburstow we head off to Bletchingly, then Outwood going down the hill and heading off left for a bit of riding in the narrow lane leading us out on the Road to Newchapel. Here we picked up the wind on our backs all the way to Lingfield and a welcome cuppa.
Heading back through Crowhurst and Tandridge Paul White decided that he wanted to take Jackass Lane to the A22. The road was beaten up as usual resulting in Trevor puncturing! Onwards through the convent before Trevor turned up the heat on the A22 back to Purley.