Croydon to Gatton Park on Reigate Hill to Coulsdon South station

On Sunday 6th July our ride goes south to the National Trust Gatton Park near Reigate. Riding from Queens Gardens, we first find ourselves on distinctly un-metropolitan tracks at Telegraph Track on our way to Little Woodcote's tree lined earth paths. There is much more in this style as we ride through woods in Woodmansterne, more tree lined path in Burgh Heath and the very big, beautiful Banstead Heath on our way to Surrey. We will lunch outside the cafe on the Reigate Hill viewpoint, which has amazing views, "A spectacular escarpment with sweeping views across the Weald". This cafe has only outdoor seating (including deckchairs). It has a good selection of food at good prices.

After lunch we ride through the large, wooded Gatton Park, generally downhill until the way out which is so steep uphill we will all have to walk 1/3 mile. Then we take a couple of very pretty minor roads through farmland and towards Coulsdon, thankfully downhill. The ride ends at Coulsdon South station.

This route has miles on earth tracks so it is sensitive to rainfall the week before. If it is going to be muddy I will need to swap it for a different route.

It is 24 miles. It is slow riding on average because so much is off road. The terrain will not be suitable for road bikes. I recommend minimum tyre width 32mm. I really don't advise it on a folding bike. Only very sturdy folding bikes could ride this without risking damage, if those exist. It tends uphill until the lunch stop. The total climb to the lunch stop is 725 feet/220 metres over 15.5 miles.

We start at 10am at Queens Gardens CR0 1GY. I don't have much idea when we will complete the ride at Coulsdon South station. Maybe 3pm.