A Group ride from Banstead to Petts Wood and Morden

 Banstead is a funny place to plan a ride from - somewhere in the middle of our loci for rides, having to ride quite far to get to places of interest whilst avoiding familiar roads. A bit like Paul J and his new route to Eltham, I was keen to explore outer SE London and Kent. Hence Petts Wood as a destination. And Morden for tea because it's on my doorstep. None of this schleping home south of Dorking!

I couldn't have chosen a better sub-leader for my ride than Andy C. My crude route planning - both outward and return, was brought to fruition by Andy's unrivalled knowledge of routes and roads: that's what a life on a saddle brings!  Our recce route was consigned to the dustbin. New routes, as Andy modestly acknowledges in his comments, were plotted by the 'cycle travel' app. Lesson learnt!

Here's what Andy had to say:- 

A cool day of brief rain showers & blustery winds....ideal for an urban ride. My group - Dave W & F, Karl, Sue C, Gina & Clive (welcome back!).It wasn't until Warlingham that we left the traffic behind & ahead...a steep descent followed by the gradual climb of Beddlestead Lane where fly-tipped rubbish was being removed. Chestnut Avenue was gently undulating to Hawley's Corner, then a 2 mile descent, then up to Cudham.

Another 2+ mile downhill to Green Street Green where if you'd believed your Garmin, that was it for hills! Obviously not, we still had Old Hill taking us to Farnborough. Dave W spent his early years in the area & was keen to point out his old Junior School!

A naturally busy Wetherspoons in Petts Wood but all were served to satisfaction & we were away by 2pm....sans Dave W. Leaving the pub in a northerly direction, we entered Jubilee Park via 'Tent Peg Lane'...no really! Many quiet suburban side roads took us tea at Morden Hall Park.

Thanks to Ged for his interest in organising this different type of ride, & the navigation alone would of been challenging before the invention of the gps device.

Credit to cycle.travel for the route back & everybody in my group for their company.

Around in Kent.

My TVC quartet of Fiona, Hans, Mike, and Dave B were joined by Patrick and Guy. With severe gradients ironed-out, we escaped Purley via Riddlestone Ave, avoiding Sanderstead, and stopped for a breather at Titsey Hill.

Chesnut Ave was a delight, emerging at Hawleys Corner - that some recognised, but from a different direction. We stopped at St Peter and Pauls Church for the 1,000+ year's Yew trees.

Recce photo.

Yew'ved been framed!

Hans was promised at least one +5% ascent climb, and seemed content with Old Hill through Ramus Wood. Then on to Petts Wood. Despite contrary advice about no bikes in the rear courtyard, The Sovereign of the Seas were obliging, and normal Wetherspoons service commenced.

The 15 mile somewhat dizzying return through suburban SE London was interrupted by a Millwall photographer picturing us at Selhurst Park. We all stayed for tea at Morden Hall Park.

Once again many thanks for Andy C for expertly joining-up the dots from my flawed origin to destination route, and to Mike R for faultlessly back-marking the often tortuous route through the twisty-turns of SE London. I'm glad the rain kept off!