East Croydon to Oxted via Old Farleigh Rd

This trip is a little different. The weather forecast was for an extended period of rain over lunch so I thought this would be a good opportunity to try out my wet weather strategy. Basically that's what I normally wear but with over-trousers and my Endura hi-vis jacket. Maybe surprisingly my Surly has hardly got wet since I bought it over 1333 km ago.


So standard bike with Ortlieb panniers. As another experiment I tried NUUN tablets in my water bottle. NUUN is just electrolytes – it is not a source of sugar or carbs. Tastes good and doesn't cloy like some energy drinks. Don't know if I really need them but it's good to try things out before a mission critical outing.

I started out with just my jacket as the rain was very light. Soon I put on the over trousers as its really started to come down. They were 'ok' certainly 'good enough' but not great. I may look for some Goretex trousers  with a more friendly lining. A zip leg like athletes trousers would be good too.

Ortlieb panniers performed faultlessy - excellent.

The main difference you notice in the wet is the bikes braking ability which isn't good. The last drop down Chalk Pit Lane was quite tricky.

There is a handy French Style coffee van at the Botley Hill Farmhouse which seems to be a bit of  a stopover point for cyclists

Didcot to Reading via Stoke Row

The lower approaches to the Chilterns a few miles from Stoke Row. The fields had Red Kites that were so close you could see every detail. Loads of Red Kites actually - it made me wonder if their re-introduction has been too much of a success.

The Thames Valley and the Chilterns is a fine cycling area I need to explore more. The Chilterns always involves some significant hills. Once you get off the main thoroughfares the countryside is wonderful.

I stopped over at the Black Horse Checkendon. A pub thats usually described as a 'hidden treasure'.

Open Source Pic

Cambridge to London Bridge

I caught the 6:54 from Oxted to Victoria then pedalled across to Kings Cross and then caught the fast train to Cambridge. The fast train takes  45-50 minutes which is pretty good. Cambridge Station was heaving with people. I've never seen it so busy.

I used a route prepared by Hackney Audax. It's a very direct route but once you get to Ware its pretty urban I think next time I would go via the Lea Valley route.

Weather was great not too hot but a trifle windy over the Cambridgeshire 'flatlands'.