Breeze to the Mayfield Lavender Farm

It’s that time of year when the lavender blooms and this ride takes us to the Mayfields Lavender Farm in Surrey. It is a route I was introduced to by the lovely Shingi, a Breeze champion who has since moved up to Manchester.
We will cycle via mostly quiet roads through West Wickham, Shirley and Purley to reach the Farm. It is an undulating route, with possibly a couple of steepish hills. There are also some tricky junctions and a couple of potentially busy roads to negotiate (In theory, the speed limit in Croydon is 30 mph) so this is not a ride for beginners and you must be a confident cyclist in such conditions. We will return by much the same route.
There is an interesting story behind the farm. It was originally conceived as a way of using lavender growing to promote the Yardley brand. However, the person who set it up was refused permission because operating a tourist attraction was not considered to be core business. However, he set it up anyway and it was a roaring success!
We will stop there for a refreshment break. It costs £4.50 if you want to enter the lavender fields, but the cafe is outside the pay wall and you can view the lavender easily from the edge of the farm. You must bring a sturdy lock (or two) as the bike stands are located in the car park. Please ensure you bring the correct key and/or remember the combination for your lock!
Please ensure you are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions and that your bike is in good working order. Make sure your details on your profile are up-to-date, in particular that we have a phone number for you. If you don’t have a mobile put your home number in the mobile phone box. Any problems on the day call Jacqui Turner 07456840924