B Group Feb 6th

What a glorious sunny day to have been out on the bike - it just got
better and better as the day wore on!  Spring was definitely in the air
and we had what seemed like a record number of riders out with B Group
- eighteen plus a lady cyclist who just happened to be out on her bike
and who joined us for a while!  Roll call is as follows:  Judy, Christine,
Liz, Stephanie,Les,Terry, Norman, Cliff, John G., recumbent Ed, Nev, Phil,
Mick.  We also welcomed Godfrey (from the Saturday group), Richard (from
A group breaking himself in after a long gap) and newcomers Jeff and
Graham whom we hope to see again, though Graham is about to start a new
job next week so it may be a while.  Pete Matthews also cycled with us
but for only a very short while so I haven't counted him.  Thanks Terry
for being back-marker for this mammoth group!
Leaving Cobham we did a detour to avoid floodwater in Plough Lane and
joined Ockham Lane at Pointers Green.  From here the route was over the
Wisley airstrip across the footbridge over the A3 to Wisley.  Here Mick
punctured and was helped by Terry and Nev while the rest of us waited
about half a mile on (Bernard, where were you to provide the entertainment
this week?).  All together again we continued to Pyrford and West Byfleet
where we found ourselves well and truly in the 'red light district' of
traffic lights and roadworks all the way to New Haw - very much a stop
/start process! Free at last to keep cycling, we came into the back of
Addlestone via Row Town and Liberty Lane, and stopped at The Pelican
on the Wey Navigation Canal for lunch.  Sitting outside in the sun
beside the water, it was hard to believe this was early February!
The pub took the large group in its stride and provided excellent
meals and service.  After lunch it was an easy ride to Walton Bridge
where we took to the towpath as far as the Leisure Centre-not too many
puddles - then did a detour inland through Molesey before coming back
to the river at Molesey Boat Club and so to Hampton Court.
 Here the group split up with seven of us having tea and cakes before
heading home.  It had been an excellent day.  (Thanks are due to Pete Barnard
for the route used by a joint A/B Group in December and to Irene for
showing it to me.)  Gill Finlay