A fairly absysmal weather forecast (rain followed by more rain) meant that an attendance of approximately zero was quite feasible for this ride. So I was surprised when a) the morning was sunny and bright and b) nine riders turned up, four coming down from the Green Bridge with Owen and five meeting at Island Gardens. Traversing the foot tunnel is actually easier now with lifts in operation both ends during the refurbishment work, so we were away along the Thames quickly, following the Waterlink Way (part of NCN21) south through Deptford, Lewisham and Catford. After all the rain of the previous night, the rivers (Ravensbourne and Pool) whose valleys the route follows, were pretty full. Most of the route as far as Beckenham is traffic free – so ideal for a good chat whilst cycling!

After Cator Park we swung off the NCN route to seek out refreshments on Beckenham High Street – a good choice of cafes available but sadly lacking in cycle parking. We improvised with lamposts and other street furniture and continued the chatting over coffee, tea, bacon sandwiches and toasted teacakes. The next section of route was new to me too as I had just chosen what looked like fairly minor roads towards West Wickham which turned out to be signed as “London Cycle Network” and took us past some pretty expensive looking housing – we spotted several triple garages and even one or two quads (all filled with bicycles I hope).

From West Wickham we headed on towards Keston and arrived suddenly in the countryside. There were a few mutterings about hills, but I kept quiet knowing that the Cudham 25% was to come. We were now passing many “Ride of the Falling Leaves” cyclists coming the other way, well on their way back to Herne Hill. Organised by Dulwich Paragon, this ride was rather more sporting than Wheelers! As they were coming the opposite way, we had alternate sequences of us cruising down hills whilst they pounded their way up, followed by us puffing and walking up whilst they swooped down. The 25% saw all but one of us off the bike and a lengthy re-grouping and breath back stop at the top. From there it wasn't far to our lunch stop (only 2 miles now I said, neglecting to tell them about the steep hill that also lay between us and food).

We stopped at the “Green and Pleasant” garden centre cafe at Knockholt (another location devoid of cycle parking) – top marks for clean and smart toilets, zero for already having Christmas decorations displayed, including some “cuddly” polar bears with motorised moving heads. As we headed back out the weather had suddenly remembered the forecast and it was now raining hard. A quick re-plan of the route ensued as it really did look as if this was set in for the afternoon, so we decided to give Knatts Valley a miss and go more directly to Dartford via Halstead, Lullingstone and Eynsford, using our route from last year's ride. As only two of us had done the ride then, this was still new territory for most of the group. Better still after only about 30 minutes it stopped raining and became a very pleasant ride. As we approached Eynsford the sun even made an appearance! We detoured slightly from the onward route to inspect the ford – but nobody seemed willing to try it out. Probably wise as the river Darenth (like the others earlier) was very full. The rest of the ride through Farningham and South Darenth was uneventful and we caught the train back from Dartford. Some of us stopped in the pub on Blackheath to discuss meaningful issues such as why this ride had (according to Nick's magic bike-mounted technical gadget which knows where you are and how many calories you have expended to get there) been tougher than the ride to Cambridge! OK maybe I should have described it as “hilly” rather than “not very hilly”.