Down House

Challenge ride to Downe

Sunday 8th February. A mostly Cloudy but dry day saw 17 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave New Malden, via Motspur park, North Cheam, Sutton, Carshalton, Bedddington Park, Waddon, Croydon, Selhurst- joined by 1 more for group 1-, Heavers Meadow, Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, West Wickham, Coney Hall, Keston, to Downe for lunch at the super friendly Queens Head, a detour to see Down House, home of Charles Darwin, for both groups (photo), then splitting again, High Elms, Farnborough (not that one), Orpington, Crofton, Southborough, Norman Park, Bromley, to Beckenham for Tea & refreshments at Kelsey Park Cafe- despite the Main gate being closed-, with a re-jig of the Groups, 1 returning to New Malden, gr 2 for those who might want to head for other destinations, Elmers End, a strategic decision to avoid South Norwood Park which would likely be quite Marshy after recent Rain, so Beckenham Cemetery instead, South Norwood, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Pollards hill, Mitcham, Morden Hall Park, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 45 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Nigel for leading group 2, thanks to Celia & Andrea E for back marking each group.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/699556

Groups 1 & 2 at Down House: Lindsay

Challenge ride to Downe

Sunday 4th August, a largely Sunny warm day, after 1 late cancellation, 1 person unable to unlock their Bike, with 1 unexpected guest, 22 Cyclists split into 2 groups, from the Fountain, New Malden, via Motspur park, North Cheam, Pyl Brook path, Sutton, the Wrythe, Hackbridge, Beddington Park, Beddington, Croydon- with 1 of group 1 mis-timing crossing the Tram track, suffering a tumble, a quick check all was OK & a minor adjustment to straighten the handlebars-, Selhurst, Heavers Meadow, Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, West Wickham, Coney hall, Keston, to Downe for a very enjoyable lunch at the delightful Queens Head- with a rendiition of ‘When that I was’, then a short detour to Down House, home of Charles Darwin-, (Photo), a long gentle descent to High Elms, Farnborough, Orpington, Crofton, Southborough, Norman Park, Bromley, to Beckenham for Tea & refreshments at Kelsey Park Cafe, a short walk through the Park to enjoy the Scenery, Elmers end, South Norwood Country Park, South Norwood, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Pollards Hill, Mitcham, Morden Hall Park, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. 45 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Chris F & Amy for back marking each group, thanks to Nigel & Will for the musical interlude. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2152617

Groupps 1 & 2 at Down House: Lindsay

Challenge ride to Downe

Sunday 12th February. A mostly overcast day, with some ‘Misty drizzle at times, with1 cancellation & 1 no show, 14 Cyclists left via Motspur park, North Cheam, Pyl Brook path, Sutton, the Wrythe, Hackbridge, Beddington Park, Croydon, Selhurst -with 1 more joining the group-, Heavers Meadow, (with a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, soon repaired), Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, West Wickham, Coney Hall, Keston, to Downe for lunch at the ever reliable ‘Queens Head’, although a little confusion with 1 food order, then a brief detour to see Down House (& Photo), home where Charles Darwin lived & wrote many works, including ‘Origin of the Species’, -as a complete coincidence, today is the anniversary of Darwins birth-, retracing our steps, then Farnborough, Orpington, Southborough, – with our leader suffering a small tumble due to a ‘sticky Toe strap’-, Norman Park -with one car park full with Film caravans-, Bromley, to Kelsey Park for Tea & Bread pudding, – with 1 person having departed to get a Train, then rejoining the group, as Engineering work had cancelled services, impressive-, alas a fruitless search for 1 BP tub, proved unnecessary, as our leader had forgotten, he was carrying 2 pots, not just the 1 he put on the table, also mistakenly almost leaving 1 person behind, oops, Elmers End, South Norwood Park, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Pollards hill, Mitcham, the brand new resurfaced Dean city Farm path & new Bridge to Morden Hall Park, Morden, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. 45 Miles, Thanks to John E for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2152617

Down House, Downe, home of Birthday boy Charles Darwin