A group ride 7^th Jan 2015

The crowd at Cobham was substantial and cakes and tea/coffee were courtesy of David Vine as it was his Birthday, not that we needed any more festive treats! Thank you David and sorry you couldn't join us on the ride due to your cold. While at 11's I had a text from Pete Betts saying he could not make the ride that he was recovering abet slowly and wished everyone well. Best wishes Pete and hope to see you back on the bike PDQ.

Being the first ride for the A's of 2015 I was not sure how to judge what was required. Did they want to belt it out to burn off Christmas excess or roll into 2015 sedately? The general murmurings suggested the later. 20 of us rolled out of Cobham and headed for Ockham and across Wisley airfield heading for, eventually, Englfield green and the Barley Mow pub. I had said the the route was not hilly but with an occasional bump but as most had had a sedate Christmas break even the little bumps were found challenging!

On through Pyrford and West Byfleet Woodham and New Haw, Adlestone and Lynne to Virginia Water and a right up Callow hill, half way up some young cyclist came flying past and Mark G took chase and easily got on his wheel.

A slightly roundabout way to the Pub and reserved tables. Lunch was served in reasonable time considering numbers, around 17 actually had lunch.

Off to afternoon tea at Squires GC Upper Haliford via Tite hill and back roads through Egham where some started to take thier leave for a quick route home and then through Chertsey, Shepperton and to tea. Between lunch and tea many had taken leave to get home before rain/darkness had descended so only 7 plumpted for the oogling of the great range of cakes on offer and even less consumed said cakes!

The weather brightened from early on and the temperature climbed to around 9c so a pleasant days outing. Thank you all.

Tony H.