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Rapha Rides: The Garden of England

By Joe Hall • 25th March 2010 06:25pm • Posted in Events

Graeme Raeburn, a man of Kent (or is that a Kentish man?), and Ultan Coyle, a man of Ulster (Dundalk actually), led us on the sixth instalment of the all-company ride through south London into Kent, the Garden of England.

Coffee connoisseurs

We set off from Café St. Germain in Crystal Palace and proceeded south, over the Kent Gateway and up Salt Box Hill to Biggin Hill with views across the Weald Valley. After toiling up Toys Hill we descended into Sevenoaks for a quick coffee break and then continued through Knole Park, with deer and stags roaming across the grounds.

Jonathan 'Pantani' Bacon

Then it was down to West Peckham for a spot of lunch and some local ales at the Swan on the Green public house. Quintessentially English countryside with delightful undulations. A great day out. Thanks to everyone who rode and to Graeme and Ultan for organising.

The Swan on the Green

Comments

Stephen Cooper

26th March 2010 10:30am

Ride out around Kent quite a bit too. Can you post a map of your route?

Baruch Brodersen

26th March 2010 11:54am

25% grade? Are you kidding me?

Joe Hall

26th March 2010 11:58am

I forgot to mention that Jonathan 'Pantani' Bacon, or 'Biff' to many of his colleagues, had ridden up to the start in Crystal Palace from Eastbourne and then rode all the way home again. Well done Biff.

Russell Kelly

26th March 2010 01:17pm

Biff you impress me more and more everyday. I wanna be like you when I grow up.

david lee

26th March 2010 03:01pm

Are you sure about that Russell?

Graeme Raeburn

26th March 2010 03:02pm

Hi Stephen, here's the first hilly leg of the route, although I think the first point isn't dead on Cafe St Germain;

http://tinyurl.com/yckv9oa
http://www.cafestgermain.com

And the second leg to the Swan on The Green, with plenty of options to get back to town;
http://tinyurl.com/ylm8995

Biff is my hero too, chapeau Mr Bacon.

Chris Tree

26th March 2010 09:13pm

Oh another 1:4 I don't know about, on my door step. Where is it???

I love the Swan at West Peckham, i'd have bought you all a drink if i'd have known!

Graeme Raeburn

27th March 2010 08:13am

Hi Chris,

the picture is looking down Church Hill near Cudham, it's short, extremely steep and curvy. I believe theres a more challenging climb on the other side of the valley along Downe Road at Hang Grove Hill …let me know how you get on!

Chris Burnett

27th March 2010 12:18pm

Church Hill may be short, but its a killer of an incline, especially the last bend!

Thanks for posting the route - always good to get more local routes to try (I'm in SE London). The area around Biggin Hill and Bough Beech reservoir are really great for cycling, plus I think Ide Hill, (another good climb), is also around there?

Chris Tree

27th March 2010 05:53pm

Oh yeah! I know Cudham Test Hill/Church Hill from the last two runs of the Hell of the Ashdown.

Chris Tree

27th March 2010 05:55pm

Oh… and thanks for that Graeme.

Baruch Brodersen

27th March 2010 08:05pm

Click Graeme's link for the first leg of the route. In the directions panel on the left, click direction number "18. Continue onto Cudham Ln S" Google maps provides a photo of the road complete with a caution sign reading "Disabled People." Those no doubt, would be the ones who just climbed the 25% grade.
http://tinyurl.com/yckv9oa

Jamie Freeman

6th April 2010 08:32am

Is it just me, or does that photo of Biff Bacon show rather too much cleavage?

Joe Hall

6th April 2010 10:25am

I'd say not enough, Jamie!

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