South of Biggin Hill, we turned west to Tatsfield, continuing to the top of the Downs by the Pilgrims' Way at Titsey. From there it was a steep descent to Limpsfield, where we stopped to pay homage at the grave of composer Frederick Delius, and that of one Constance Doreen Jarrett, whose epitaph reads…
"Artistic and gentle, her life was conducted by a deep love of plants and animals. Kindness lays here."
From Limpsfield it was on to the Oxted Inn, a watering hole beloved of thrifty club cyclists. After this low-cost refuelling stop, we continued west and south through rolling countryside, and across the A25 to Crowhurst, where we rested and posed for photos by the 4,000 year-old yew tree in the grounds of St George's Church.
The return took us back to Oxted along a different path, following which we joined the main road for a long, staggered climb to the Kent border by Westerham. One rider decided to rest awhile at Westerham, and make his own way home from there.
Two villages further along the A25, we crossed the River Darent at Sundridge, and headed northeast toward Polhill. After climbing this favourite run of road cyclists from age eight to 80, we took the quiet road to Halstead, emerging onto the A21 near Chelsfield Lakes. From there it was northeast through Green Street Green, with a lovely dusk light filtering through the trees, and on to Chislehurst.
From Chislehurst we proceeded to Eltham, Kidbrooke and Blackheath, arriving tired and content in Greenwich Park, with 95 kilometres on the clock.
A good day's ride.
Francis