Crystal Palace to Biggin Hill and Darwin Country - Route 1

This ride does start at 7.55 but I will wait for 5 minutes so we are off by 8.00 as the idea is to have finished by between 10.45 and 11.00 as the cake and coffee is at the end of the ride, you can decide how long or short to make this.

We Start in Crystal Palace Park next to the bottom car park there is a fast descent through Penge and out thru Beckenham. At 8.00 am this is a relatively quiet in terms of traffic. We turn off Beckenham Road after the main roundabout onto very quiet roads and ride alongside Langley Golf course passing the "Chinese garage". We travel through West Wickham and are immediately in the country. It’s now up hill until we get to Blackmans Lane having ridden past The Metropolitan Police Dog training centre. This, is a steady climb with some views across the north Kent Downs. We then have a fast desecent down Jewells hill and then straight up Saltbox hill, where we meet Main Road, we usually detour to take photographs at the Biggin Hill Museum as many like to photograph the Spitfire and Hurrican aeroplanes outside the Museum. It gets easier after this as its essentially down hill to Berry Green and Downe where we ride past Darwin's House. Downe is a very pretty Kent Village. Then it's across to Kesten Windmill. Then into Hayes and then quiet roads back into Beckenham sort of retracing our steps.

There is a sting in the tail as there is one last climb back up to the bottom of Crystal Palace. Depending upon the group its either a stop in Penge for cakes and a coffee at the Blue Bell Cafe or if the group want to go to more traditional "cyclist cafe" a climb thru the park up to Cadence or The Paradue at the top of Crystal palace.

Nobody is left behind and we wait at the top of all the hills. The average speed will be about 18 kph over the whole ride and with regular stops should take roughly 2hrs 30 mins to 2 hrs 45 mins so please allow 3 hours 15/30 minutes allowing for a coffee and cake. Please remember to bring, spare tubes, a pump, tyre levers and something to drink and eat whilst out on the ride.

If you need to get hold of me my mobile is 07909703325

INFORMATION FOR POST LOCKDOWN RIDES • Rides will consist of a maximum of 6 riders, including leaders. please only sign up if you are sure you want to ride. and if you are not sure please try to cancel your place on the ride with 48 hours notice as rides as rides fill up fast and it gives other riders a chance to book on a ride.• Keep a 2 metre distance between yourself and other riders. This includes during any stops. • Don't share anything - be aware this does mean if you have a puncture you'll need to be able to fix it yourself, for example. *Make sure you bring your own tools – spare inner tube, levers and pump. Also bring your own hand sanitiser, tissues and anything else you may need for the ride.* You may also want to bring a face mask although there is no need to wear one on the ride. • Don't ride if you feel unwell or have symptoms of Covid-19 • Don’t ride if you have been told to self-isolate • Inform the leader if you develop symptoms or test positive after the ride. • If you've not managed to sign up for a ride please do not arrive at the designated meeting point. • All the usual rules for riding apply, obviously. • Please 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 Space Provided.

Ride the Kent Hills, see a Spitfire, pass 3 very pretty churches & visit Darwins House.

The entire route is road cycling on mainly quiet roads, there are some main roads but these are usually relatively quiet. There is about 400 meters of climbing so it does require a certain level of fitness.

Photo ops Biggin Hill Museum, Darwin's House, Downe Church and Kesten Windmill

Please remember to bring, money for Coffee and Cake, spare tubes, a pump, tyre levers and something to drink and eat whilst out on the ride.

We never leave anyone behind