There was a good turnout at Hersham today but it soon became apparent that the
day's wet forecast and then the deluge of rain which hit just before 11 a.m. was
making some people question the sense of going out for a ride. However, once
the sun was out again a group of 18 set off on the B ride which had had to be
re-jigged to eliminate some off-road sections. Heading north on the Molesey
Road, we turned off just past Hersham Station and approached Walton via Walton
Park and Cottimore Lane, followed by a loop round Manor Road towards the
bridge. We turned on to the new road down to Cowey Sale, where a gosling nearly
suffered a nasty accident as it wandered into the road in front of a van coming
the other way. Our route now took us to Weybridge, up Heath Road to the
station, down to Brooklands and on to West Byfleet. From here it was due south
to Pyrford Green and Warren Lane where we met a huge lorry with barely room for
us to pass! Pyrford Village, Papercourt and Tannery Lanes across to Send and we
were soon at our destination, The New Inn at Cartbridge. Seats had been
reserved inside but with the sun still shining we opted to sit outside. Dark
clouds and a few spots of rain had some of us moving undercover, but it came to
nothing and soon the sun was out again.
Service was very speedy and we were on our way just before 2.00 p.m. heading north through Old Woking and Maybury, to join the Basingstoke Canal towpath. There were a few muddy patches but mostly it was good cycling. We came off the path at West Byfleet and continued northwards through Woodham and up Row Town's steep hill to Addlestone. Turning into School Lane, off Church Road, we managed to lose three riders. With no sign of them and with dark clouds looming, we hurriedly continued our way to Chertsey Meads and Chertsey Bridge. Strong winds heralding the next rainstorm were luckily behind us as we sped along on the cycle path beside the Shepperton By-Pass. The first raindrops saw us scurrying up Shepperton High Street and we made it to Cafe Mocha-d just in time! Amazingly, the three we had lost, turned up at that moment too! (The cafe is opposite the bakery and for future reference it is open until 6.00 p.m. on a weekday.) It had been an early tea-stop and there was no rush to move when the rain stopped and the sun reappeared. People set off homewards about 4.00 p.m. again with grey clouds looming. I made it home as the first spots fell. I'm afraid the rest will not have been as lucky. Overall, though, luck had been on our side with sunshine most of the time and heavy rain falling when we were under cover! Thanks, Tim, for being back-marker, even though we did lose you for a short while!
Service was very speedy and we were on our way just before 2.00 p.m. heading north through Old Woking and Maybury, to join the Basingstoke Canal towpath. There were a few muddy patches but mostly it was good cycling. We came off the path at West Byfleet and continued northwards through Woodham and up Row Town's steep hill to Addlestone. Turning into School Lane, off Church Road, we managed to lose three riders. With no sign of them and with dark clouds looming, we hurriedly continued our way to Chertsey Meads and Chertsey Bridge. Strong winds heralding the next rainstorm were luckily behind us as we sped along on the cycle path beside the Shepperton By-Pass. The first raindrops saw us scurrying up Shepperton High Street and we made it to Cafe Mocha-d just in time! Amazingly, the three we had lost, turned up at that moment too! (The cafe is opposite the bakery and for future reference it is open until 6.00 p.m. on a weekday.) It had been an early tea-stop and there was no rush to move when the rain stopped and the sun reappeared. People set off homewards about 4.00 p.m. again with grey clouds looming. I made it home as the first spots fell. I'm afraid the rest will not have been as lucky. Overall, though, luck had been on our side with sunshine most of the time and heavy rain falling when we were under cover! Thanks, Tim, for being back-marker, even though we did lose you for a short while!
- Gill Finlay
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| Gill's ride from the Hersham DC to the New Inn in Cartridge (14.9 miles) and thence to Tea at the Café Mocha-D (12.5 miles) |
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