Easy Riders March 31st

Arrived at Hersham to find Roger, Fuzz, Albert and Peter, Bill, Geoff, Ron, and the Squirrels nattering. Suprised to see Ron as he had phoned me at ten to nine from Dorking. Dennis also arrived. Ron took a photo and departed on four wheels, Dennis went to supervise the arrival of a new fridge, Geoff departed for home and the remaining stalwarts set off into the drizzle. The route through Burhill Golf Course was successful, they've constructed a new bridge over the Mole, there is then a high metal locked gate, but by walking around the barn you can rejoin the road on the other side and proceed to the bridge over the A3 - gate open at far end and so into the suburbs of Cobham. Whether the route we took will be closed off to ramblers/cyclists will remain to be seen but it is an excellent cut through at the moment. We then headed north by usual route Green Lane-Fairmile Common-Sandy Lane -Stokesheath Road and track to Claygate and the Foley Arms. After lunch Fuzz, Albert and Peter went their own ways, Roger, Bill and I headed for Molesey via Orchard Lane and the track along the River Ember. A little of the Thames brought us to Hampton Court where Bill got the train and Roger and I did a circuit of Bushy Park before a quick cuppa at the Kings Field Pavilion (where the skateboard park is at Kingston Bridge end of Bushy Park - open til 3.30 most days).
From Steph

It was cold, wet and windy and we had a rather low turnout at Hersham so let us say it`s quality rather than quantity wot counts. Stephanie lead the ride with Bill H., Fuzz, Roger plus Peter and me on the tandem trike. We encountered a fair bit of mud en route but managed without mishap. We followed Steph`s email briefing so I`ve taken the liberty of pasting same here:- Had an exploratory cycle today so here is my intended route for Wed. Westwards along Burwood Road til we come to the entrance for Burhill golf course, we turn in and follow a lovely tarmaced surface all the way past Norwood Farm, bridge over the R mole and across the Esher bypass till we come to the A307 which we cross and cut through the private estate on the opposite side of the road, more lovely tarmac. We turn northwards and follow small roads up to Fairmile common which we have to cross a very short section of to get onto Sandy Lane. It was a little muddy in a few places but really not too bad at all. At the eastern end of Sandy Lane we do some more cutting through private estates so more good tarmac! - Stokesheath Road which brings us out at Fairoak Lane, here we turn left for half a mile and then have to turn left again up the track to Coverts Road in Claygate. This little offroad section is half a mile and is muddy in a few places but we can get off and walk. It is the quickest route to Claygate where we will lunch at the Foley Arms. About 6.5 miles.
After lunch we head west along Hare Lane turning right into Littleworth Lane - across the common (1/4 mile) straight over the Portsmouth road to join Ember Lane. I will be turning left at Orchard Way for a bit of very well surfaced off road to follow a little of the River Ember before heading north through Molesey to join the Thames for a little then over Hampton Court Bridge - (passing 5 on the Bridge!) to tea at far end of Bushy Park in the Kings Field Pavilion. Thence into Kingston and home. Hope you are well and ready to go..... Steph
End of quote:----------Pete and I went home after lunch none the worse for the experience, so thanks Steph-------------Albert