B Group Nov 5th

14 of us set out from Cobham. They were Brian, David, Eddie, Gill, Godfrey, Harry, John G, Les, Liz, Marion, Neville, Norman, Reg and me. I always try to get away from the traffic even if it means a some bumps and mud. So our route took us along the Wey Navigation to Weybridge after a miserable albeit short bit along the A3, then on to the Thames along the tow-path to a quite nice pub (whoops hotel) The Weir. Then more Thames tow-path to Hampton Court Bridge and through Bushey Park and back across the river via the Teddington Lock footbridge. I was quite pleased with the proportion of low-traffic cycling - although Judy's bike does need a clean. There were a few challenges on the tow-paths in the form of roots and other lumps. One chap failed the test and fell off. Fortunately no serious harm done other than a bent brake. A slow puncture caused the victim to catch the the train at Hampton Court. After lunch our numbers began to reduce but several of us made it to the nursery at Petersham where the cakes were rather nice - including beetroot cake. Just before the tea-stop another puncture and a minor catastrophe - the leader passed the turning to the nursery and when he realised he stopped rather quickly without warning. Consequently two people crashed, Gill suffering a compound fracture of her left knee. She said she didn't need an ambulance as she hurried along (without limping) to her cake. Is this a record - two puncture and three crashes? Regards Bernard