To Westerham for breakfast then the 'Woodland Trek'

There's Siberian weather heading our way next week. They reckon minus 12 degrees and plenty of snow and let's be fair here, it is cold out there, cold as hell. I can't say I was looking forward to Saturday's ride, not initially at any rate. The only saving grace, I felt, was that breakfast at the Tudor Rose café was on the cards. When the weather's cold, I need to know that there's something hot at the other end of the tracks, so to speak. And what's better than a pot of tea and breakfast in an English caff? Nothing, right?

Inside the Tudor Rose, Westerham...

So I knew the ride was going to involve the balaclava and the scarf. I knew the ride meant layers of clothing and plenty of them and I knew that I wouldn't be carrying a heavy flask full of hot water – and that's a bonus, I can tell you. What I forgot was that it would be daylight when I left the house, another bonus as it takes the edge off the cold weather. Another plus point was that I couldn't see any frost on car windscreens. Furthermore there were blue skies and sunshine as I rode up Church Way towards the Limpsfield Road and then on towards the green.

Andy arrived as I turned up and we headed for Westerham, heads down. It wasn't that cold, but then I was prepared and the old balaclava did the trick. The ride was good and soon we arrived at the Tudor Rose, padlocked the bikes outside and headed in for a hot breakfast. Andy chose a sausage sandwich while I ordered good old fashioned beans on toast. We ordered a pot of tea and sat there for about half an hour chilling, eating our breakfasts and sipping tea poured from a traditonal tea pot into mis-matching cups and saucers.

The Tudor Rose is good and there are plenty of cakes, good cakes, but listen, it was miles too early for cake. It was soon time to head home, reluctantly I must add, but it was 0910hrs and we really needed to be on our way. Fuelled by baked beans and toast I had plenty of energy and it saw me through. The ride up the hill, normally really tedious, was fine and soon we reached Botley Hill and the 269, which we both powered along. It was a good run, roughly 50 minutes, probably a little less, from Westerham to Warlingham Green and then 15 minutes from the green to home.

The ride was good. Very good. It set me up for the rest of the day, which was pretty chilled out. The weather was cold, but the sun was out and the skies were blue and everybody's waiting for the Siberian weather later in the week. It's now Sunday. Andy didn't go out today, he had a late night, so I sat around, lacking motivation to go out in the cold alone. Later I phoned Bon. "It's probably too late, but I'm thinking Woodmansterne Green." But it was too late so we arranged to ride out next Saturday instead.

I figured a ride would be good, even a short ride, so I embarked upon the good old Woodland Trek and added a few more roads for good measure; I was out for 44 minutes, but it was a good ride and when I got back I can't remember what I did. Oh yes, I went to Ikea and bought some lampshades and a light bulb, but I'm annoyed with myself and something needs to be done: there's not point getting loads of exercise if I'm going to scoff my face with cake and other baked items, like Danish pastries and snacks like Tim Tams (think Penguin bars but somehow a little tastier). I need a blanket biscuit ban starting tomorrow (Monday). But I'm not going to bore you with that now, let's see how my week goes.

On the Woodland Trek, note blue skies...

It's almost six o'clock and it's still not properly dark, which is good. It's getting lighter by the day, which is also good. Trouble is it's getting colder too and the thought of heavy snow doesn't really appeal to me as it might mess up next week's rides. I have a view about snow: it always strikes twice. You get a downfall of snow, it thaws a little bit and then you get some more and then it lingers and everybody treads carefully on their way to the office. Nobody wants to fall arse over tit. Anyway, I'm sitting here in the dark with nothing but the halogen glow of the television and my laptop illuminating the gloom.

Sunday roast beckons and I'm going to make it! I love Sunday roasts. I love roast chicken, I love Yorkshire puddings, Paxo stuffing, roast potatoes, root vegetables and mustard and I love apple crumble with custard. What else can I say, but no more cakes and biscuits after tomorrow.