Sproutbuster Challenge 2 - Fri 28 Dec

[Del]

YesI It's back!!

The second annual Xmas co-production from the Saturday Alternatives/Disagreeables and the Sunday CR - The Sproutbuster Challenge Take 2!.

Last year's inaugural event was rather more successful in terms of numbers than Pete and I had expected. We had about 40 turn up to blast away the after effects of over eating and excess drink.

Less successful was the group disintegrating early on and the cafe not being open, although they took sympathy and let us in.

So, a bit more planning this year. We've checked with the cafe. We'll make sure the route is clear on the day. And if we get good numbers again, we will split into more manageable groups.

09:30 from CSS and the destination will be Chartwell Barns at Four Elms. Pete has checked and the cafe is open. They can put extra staff on if we can give then some idea of numbers, so if you can post up that you will be riding, it will help us get things turned round smoothly.

Final route to be decided, but Pete has many hilly options across small lanes, almost certainly involving Ide, or Toys or both.

Hope to see lots of you again, dedicated to recovery from the after effects of the sprout!

[Amy]

As I'm free this year, I should be up for this - I'll go for the slower, more social paced ride

[Ant]

Nice one Del - count me in.

[Ronnie]

Hi Del

I look forward to this run out, see you at CSS.

Regards

Ron.

[Del]

A small Sproutbusting update!

Weather looks a bit wet early on, but the forecast is that rain will clear away about 9:30, so I'm hoping that the ride itself will be dry, although roads will be wet and it looks a bit windy.

Unfortunately, my co sprout-leader and route planner, Pete Smith, is feeling unwell and may not make tomorrow , but I'm ok at the moment and armed with Pete's route - so as long as I evade my daughter's attempts to infect me with norovirus, I shall be there!

Overall route distance from CSS to Four Elms and back is 47 miles, with the cafe exactly half way.

Route information from Pete is as follows:

Farthing, Bletchingley, Rabies Heath Rd, Tilburstow, Enterdent, Old Godstone, Gangers, Pilgrims, Brasted, left on A25 towards Sevenoaks then right up towards Ide. straight on when road joins from left then next right (Emmett's Lane) to link and join Toys near the top. Left to summit then down Toys, right after about 1/2 mile (Puddledock Lane) follow it through to join road from Chartwell (Mapleton Road).(*) Left down hill then left at T junc (Pootings Road) straight across at x roads (pond on RHS) then on about half a mile to Cafe at 4 Elms on left hand side (Chartwell Barns).

Return retrace to point (*) but keep on up hill before turning left on path towards Froghole and Crockham (a good surfaced rideable road/path) to junction with Crockham/Westerham road (Hosey Common Road). Left down hill, left at bottom then through Crockham Hill Village, next right after pub and houses on right (Dairy Lane). Along the lane then back through Hurst Green etc to top of Tilburstow where left etc.

Hope to see a few of you out tomorrow!

[Del]

Course route is avaialable on Bike Route Toaster here:

[url]http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487269[/url]

[Ben]

Hope to be there tomorrow.

[andrewf]

Del

I know this route reasonably well and should be out tomorrow
Andy

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

I will be there be will have to miss the coffee stop

[Alan M]

looks a blinder! Weather permitting c u there A

[TonyC]

Hi Del, I'm try and hook up with you guys at the top of Ganger (i.e. along The Ridge)

I'd say i'll take you around 45 -50 mins so should see you around 10:15 ish

Tony

[Ronnie]

Hi Del

Is this still going ahead, weather not too good at the moment, chucking it down in Kenley.

Regards

Ron.

[Del]

Not too good in Horley, but supposed to clear around 9:00 according to BBC News this morning.

I'm still intending to head up to CSS, though I may take the car just in case it doesn't clear.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

I think I might bale out. looks grim. If I'm not there don't wait, Looks like I:ll ride Sunday. Have fun.

Jon

[Ant]

The rain's just stopped in SW20

I'll be at CSS but with the winter bike and full mudguards!