Like most plants this year, bluebells have been late in coming into bloom after what has been a long and particularly severe winter followed by a chilly early spring. Finally, however, they are out and one of the great pleasures of cycling around the lanes of east Surrey is ready to be enjoyed.
Apparently, some 90% or the world’s bluebells are to be found in the UK. There’s a carpet of them to be seen in ancient woodland across the Surrey Hills and no better way to see it than from the saddle. A few years ago, the saddle would have been fitted to whatever time trial bike I happened to be riding in the old Tooting Bicycle Club Sporting 42, which wended its last few miles up the A24 past Ockley and through the bluebell woods on the south side of Leith Hill.
This year it is on my test Independent Fabrication Club Racer, which proved itself as a touring machine on last year’s autumn tour and is a delightful companion on short outings into the countryside. It also looks great parked up amongst the bluebells, no?
