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Waterlink Way & Darenth Valley Ride
18 January 2009

Listening to the rain lashing down on Saturday night didn't bode well for the ride, but in fact Sunday turned out to be a day of blue skies and sunshine. Wheelers ventured south of the river for a change, firstly along the Waterlink Way and then onto the quiet (and hilly) lanes of the Darenth valley.

The Waterlink Way follows the rivers Ravensbourne and Pool and passes through several parks. It's a slow way out of London, but mostly traffic free and a very pleasant way to escape the city. Once into the countryside the lanes are quiet and the scenery excellent.

We called at High Elms Country Park for lunch at the fantastic BEECHE straw bale cafe, and then rode on to Lullingworth Country Park and Castle for a brief off-road section (off-bike for me as my little wheels were spinning in the mud so I had to walk). From there we moved on to the fourth best ford* in the country at Eynsford, but no-one was brave enough to cross (currently about 2 feet deep!). Then on via Farningham and Horton Kirby to Dartford where we caught the train back to London.

About 40 miles in total, with 10 riders, and we're thinking we'll do this one again, but maybe a little later in the year where we could complete the loop with a ride back along the Thames. Special mentions to Nicola and Marianne who did the trip on single-speed bikes and still managed to ride up of most of the hills. Also very pleased to see Mike, a former Wheelers Bike Buddy, who has now progressed to being a continental tourist! Looks like Patrick Field and the London School of Cycling did a good job there...

For the full route see: www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Waterlink-Way-and-Darenth-Valley

David

*Ref the Cycle Touring Club magazine of a few months ago.

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