Rough Stuff rides for LFGSS folk, join regular rides that avoid tarmac

I would pretty much never choose to ride up Plantation Road by Woldingham Golf Club, it's steep, loose and much more fun in reverse, as a descent.

That bit around Hayes Common/Croydon Road might be new to me. I might have to go and have a play around over there.

On your map, Birch Wood has the most amazing singletrack running around the outside of it and your route into it is pretty grim. I've gone that way before and now come down King Henry's Drive, Vulcan way (carefully negotiate whatever's been flytipped at the end of the industrial estate and then into the woods. The entry to the singletrack is easy to miss, its basically a small track just past the culvert at the top of the woods, but not the more obvious right turn!

Looks like a decent route otherwise.

Where's this @leggy_blonde?

The standard NCN 21/22 route loop is a lot of fun and can be looped back on itself to get home via the Happy Valley in Old Cousldon and then follow the Wandle Trail back to SW, for easy trains East.

On your map, Birch Wood has the most amazing singletrack running around the outside of it and your route into it is pretty grim. I've gone that way before and now come down King Henry's Drive, Vulcan way (carefully negotiate whatever's been flytipped at the end of the industrial estate and then into the woods. The entry to the singletrack is easy to miss, its basically a small track just past the culvert at the top of the woods, but not the more obvious right turn!

Is this the one? Streetview makes it look like Vulcan way doesn't have an entrance to the woods

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Yep. That red trace is the route in. If you use Strava's heat map function you'll see the single-track trail really clearly.

Between Woldingham Station and the Limpsfield Rd

Ahh, good old Tampax Alley into Log Hoppers

Really? I thought I knew that area pretty well and I just can't picture this at all!
Can you show me on a map?

Approximately here.

It runs parallel to Upland Road, if you know that? There's a gate about a quarter of the way up, if that is closed then you're not meant to continue.

I have been told off by the landowner (?) in 4x4 there where I may or may not have pulled the "I dont speak english" card, I had a beard then.

March 11th 9:00am at St David’s coffee in Forest hill, 65km, out the ol’ SE way past Croydon. Plenty of time to put it in the calendars.

I’d have done it on the 4th but I’m doing that Superstore Wilderness ride if anyone else happens to be doing that?

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SE -> Surrey rough stuff running well today despite the grim wintry shit weather lingering the whole time.

These are some of the fun bits I’ve got in mind for the forum+ ride in a couple weeks. Would be good to see some forum heads there, it’s a fun route.

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Nice!! Mind sharing the route?

+1, would be up for a north east rough stuff ride if any occur

yeah no worries man, here’s a komoot link.

There’s a kinda annoying little hike-a-bike but I’ve left in here as the road alternative is a super punchy albeit fairly short climb. Which would then link back up with the route if you head right out of the junction. I did the road climb after a wee breather haha. *Andyp’s suggestion has got rid of this issue

The whole route feels like there’s a lot more ‘rough stuff’ than the Komoot stats say. But it always feels like that I guess. I did the whole thing from Bermondsey in about 5 1/2 hours total which included messing around to take pics and to look around to polish up the route through various sections. It’s a good ride I reckon! It’s the one I’ll be running on the 11th anyway, let me know if ya do it beforehand!

Some feedback:

• The gravel path via the Ravensbourne on the east side of Beckenham Place Park is closed currently as there is major work underway to create a wetland. I don't think it's expected to be open until later in the spring
  
• There's no cycling in Kelsey Park, so surprised to see that on your route. It's very clearly signed at all park entrances. An alternative is to take Burnhill Road then go up Kelsey Lane which runs off road (mainly) all the way to Stone Park Avenue. You can then turn left, then right into Harvington Woods to pick up your route again.
  
• Would definitely recommend the inclusion of Upland Road in Woldingham, it's a much nicer alternative than the hike-a-bike section off Slines Oak Road
  
  

Otherwise, thumbs up from me, it's a good route!

Cheers for the help!

The field is through Beckenham is still fun!

And yeah RE:Kelsey Park that’s Komoot’s auto fill fault, not sure why anyone would want to cycle through there, I pasted a lot of dots on a map before heading out and then was changing bits as I cycled it all today but placed some bits for future-me to sort out, alas neither future-me nor present-me is perfect.

Interesting solution to the hike-a-bike/steep road climb. I like it!

Hi all, I'm leading a ride this Sunday from Norbury to Kingdom cafe near Tonbridge. The plan is to replace back to Crawley and take the train back into town.
About 70 miles in total. The route is here: https://cycle.travel/map/journey/397917https://cycle.travel/map/journey/397917

This route will really need a gravel bike or ATB at a minimum. In summer, this might be possible with a 28-30c tyre and a casual attitude to bike and personal health and safety!

If you're interested, the meetup link is here.
https://www.meetup.com/londongravelcc/events/291773696/

How was it? Looked good but was a bit far for my girlfriend who had been ill all week

Niiiice. Damn it. I need to get on with stuff or the year will be gone (again (again (agai…

We bailed at Crawley. Basically the group were going a bit too slowly and the cold and wind was getting to us. We realised that we'd get there just as it closed, so would miss the chance to eat at the cafe. My current plan is to take the train to East Grinstead, ride the remaining section, then retrace to Crawley and train home so that I have a good idea of the route and can do any refinements. Then I'll lead it as a group ride in better weather.

Looking forward to the Superstore Wilderness ride tomorrow! Planning to sign in at 09:59:59 but somehow get back to catch the end of Strade Bianche. Might see you there @ojwithbits

Hahah if you’re carting it around at pace maybe you will! I’m getting there for 8:30 but taking it easy with some friends. If ya see a short guy on a pink Brother Kepler it could well be me, say hi!

@ojwithbits is the offworld m 11th thing a thing? I am not sure I’ll be able to do it (bike in a stand, clothes in another city, setting out from north London, unfit-as &c &c) but I’d like to at least try to wheeze my way out along the edgelands. If not, another time!

Yeah I’m still planning on it! Jump on the overground at Highbury and Islington and ya can ride it all the way down to Forest Hill where the coffee shop I’ve set the meeting place is (: