B Group - 25th October

When we did the recce for today’s ride we were happy with the route but after being blown about by a lot of vigorous and gusty wind on Saturday we decided that the weather needed considerable revision. So the inevitable consequence of this effort was that the sun shone very brightly, the wind was absent, and a large number turned up at the Elleray Hall. Apart from 2 or 3 guests from the Easy Riders, a cycling friend of Tony Hopkins and Simon, Michiko rode with us today. And Terry’s son in law Paul who we only ever see in school holidays was with us too.

About 24 of us took off through the NPL and funnelled through the gate into Bushy Park. Whereupon we encountered a string of ponies and their passengers riding along the path we had intended to take, pure Thelwell. Having just passed the Park Lane Stables this should not have come as such a big surprise. I took advice about an alternative path and we were finally on our way.
 
We zigzagged through Hampton and into Lower Hampton Road, heading for Walton Bridge, but took a scenic deviation down Felix Lane to emerge off Penny Lane onto the bridge approach. Then Walton Lane, Weybridge, Addlestone, up the hill after Row Town, to enjoy an interminable wait to get through the roundabout and its roadworks to cross Woodham Lane.
 
Once through West Byfleet life got easier and sensing that we might be running a bit late we cranked up the pace a bit through Pyrford to Ripley to arrive at The Half Moon at 13:15. Parking was much more complicated than usual. The little courtyard behind the pub wasn’t able to accommodate many of the bikes and the driveway was strangely cluttered with several posh Audi cars. But we managed to avoid scratching any of them and went indoors to find Vic already halfway through his Tuna Mayo sarnie and food for the rest of us being delivered before we sat down. After about 15 minutes of chaos we were all sipping our beverages and tucking into our food. Pre-ordering can be a bit of a pain but in this little pub it would have been impossible for the staff and frustrating for us if we hadn’t emailed all the orders through in advance. The pub has a nice atmosphere with busy and attentive staff. The sun was streaming in through the windows and the room full of talkative cyclists munching away.
 
Paul had a technical issue which required a visit to a bike shop so he departed with Terry for Cobham as soon as they had eaten. The rest of us took off at 14:20 for a fairly obvious route to Cobham, Rose Lane, Guileshill Lane, Ockham through to Pointers Green. But to add a little scenic interest we took a right on Chilbrook Road through to Downside and through the farm road to the hump backed bridge across the Mole to the Cemetery at Upper Cobham Tilt. It was plain sailing after that via Fairmile Lane to the A307 which took us through to afternoon tea at Giro in Esher. We had some apprehension about fitting so many of us in there but several sat outside in the sun and all was good.
 
Thanks especially to Tony Hooker who had a request to be back-marker sprung on him out of the blue, his job being made a lot more complicated than it should have been by the leader not giving him a route map or a cue sheet. I believe strongly in briefing the back marker well so that he or she can follow the route in the event of being delayed by someone with a puncture or other issue. I had been thinking about the food orders and forgot to do anything about instructions for a back marker which, with such a big group, was unfortunate.
 
We had a great day and marvelled at being able to pluck a real summer’s day out of this autumn season. Thank you everyone for your great capacity to enjoy yourselves.
 
~ Tim

Coffee and Tea at Giro

Some decided to brave the elements

Teddington - Ripley (18.3 miles) - Esher (10.3 miles)