The forecast for Storm Frank sounded dire with southerly gusts of 40+ mph and heavy afternoon rain. But it was never that bad.
Just 13 A riders crossed Walton bridge before heading east to Sunbury and Hampton. Here we turned north to Hampton Hill (what hill?) and through the park to NPL. Compared with recent days, the High Street was empty as was Teddington Lock bridge. Hoping to introduce some culture, we detoured to take in the brutalist architecture that is Parkleys. and the Victorian Latchmere House (awaiting redevelopment). From Ham Gate it was NCN4 though we exited through East Sheen Gate. As usual the Mortlake level crossing was closed as is (almost) the Stag brewery. It is now owned by the developer who is remodelling Teddington Studios into flats. Once again the High Street was empty as we turned into Barnes by the Bull's Head. To save the Editor's blushes a continuation along a potentially muddy NCN4 was discarded so we continued past Putney Hospital (15+ years empty but soon a school and yet more flats). Many will remember WF Holdsworth Putney; there's scarce any trace of it now. And thus we reached The Rocket Putney, or if you prefer Wetherspoons.
After much display of smart phones, a bare majority were for home so now there were six. From the Half Moon we cut through the backstreets and Ashburton Estate to Telegraph Road followed by more architecture in the form of the vast Alton Estate. From what I could gather, few had used the Chohole Gate which just left the final ascent, Test (or more correctly Broomfield) Hill. And no tea stop.
Home by 1415, fully an hour before any rain and there was precious little of that. Call it a modest 33 miles door to door.
1 comment:
Well done Raasay, sorry I did not make your ride today but I had to make all sorts of plans to venture to Cowes IOW to spend New Year with my middle child Natalie. Sadly I have failed to secure a sensible train assisted ride. Due to engineering works etc I was told that the best route was from Epsom to Clapham J and hence return to Southampton Central hence to pier then by Red Funnel to Cowes East a total journey time of over 5hrs assuming all goes well. The alternative route (my normal) from Redhill was defeted by many sections being by bus (bikes not permitted), so I decided to abandon N.Yr. in IOW.
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