At Shepperton Greeno Day Centre we had the pleasure of the company of our doyen Tom Fish, celebrating his 93rd birthday. Amongst his cards was a Janice and Ken special featuring photographs of Tom in his prime - what a man!
The long range forecast had been dire but bright sunshine more than compensated for a cold northerly breeze. Two football/cricket teams (or if you prefer, one set of snooker balls) lined for the "A" ride from the Greeno
centre. By name they were Graham, Bob, Brian, Ed, Frank C, Grant, Irene, Jen, John M, John S, Scottish John, Julian, Mike M, Mike Wakely, Nigel, Pete B, Pete M, Ray, Richard, Rob, Toni, Vic. The route went west to Chertsey Bridge then south to Row Town and New Haw. Next Pyrford Church and Send Marsh were graced by an extended peloton before Potters Lane was taken to the A3. With time in hand and unscripted, the Wey towpath was ridden to the A320 where confusion reigned as nobody including the leader knew the way. Bystanders' advice and hurried glances at the Surrey cycle map eventually lead us onroad to Wetherspoons in the centre of Guildford; Bob who had stayed on the towpath was already settling into his meal! Belatedly ordered cups of coffee muddied our departure made more ragged when several headed for home via the Leatherhead road whilst others tried riding the wrong way up one-way streets! It was back to the A3 (no towpath this time); at the roundabout north of Ripley Vic hit a pothole, mounted the kerb and fell off. Uninjured he opted to fix the puncture and head for home - not a happy return after his recent accident. The remaining dozen carried on to Ockham Bites for tea and cakes before splitting up. Graham Hill
Leaving late from Shepperton (what has happened to our famed punctuality?), I led 'B' group of Carol, Christine, Gill, Judy, Liz, Cliff, Ed, Harold S, Ian, Les, Norman, Ray H, Roger S, Terry and Tony H through the back passages of Chertsey, to Lyne and Trumps Green. After taking the scenic route through Wentworth golf course and estate, we entered Windsor Park at the Wheatsheaf. In the Park, we took the tarmac path along the Southern shore of Virginia Water, and then turned North-East and then North (noting the abundant Spring flowers) to Cumberland Gate; then Eastwards to The Savill Garden and the Sun Public House, where some of our party had a long wait for lunch. In the afternoon, we took a direct route through Englefield Green, Egham, Staines and Laleham, but a mile or so before Shepperton, we turned off the main road and took an off-road path over the M3 to tea at Shepperton. After tea,, most of the party cycled through Lower Sunbury, Hampton and Bushey Park to Kingston, where we dispersed. John Gould
Still rather cold but plenty of sun and very little wind. Good turnout at Shepperton. My turn to lead with Lynda, Beryl, Mark, Bill, Roger, Ron and Dennis. John C and Phil plus a few more of our regulars were at elevenses but did not participate. We took the long way round through Laleham, Staines, Egham Hythe, Thorpe Lea, under the M25 to The Rose and Crown at Thorpe Green. I must have made some mention of The Red Lion at Thorpe when refering earlier to our intended lunch stop and Dennis and Ron missed us in consequence. On calling for support, the rest of the disloyal lot said ""we followed you" !!. I am happy we are all good friends. The lunch was good, the route was tarmac and pretty flat and only about twelve miles in all. We returned to Shepperton for tea via Thorpe Road and Chertsey.
The sun was still shining when I got home----------------------------Albert
Choose between Dorking or Kingston next week.
Olleh Hub
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