A Group 4 December - Christmas Lunch ride

But first - a couple of songs to get you in the Christmas mood.  Feel free to sing along:

‘Tis the season to be merry

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Everyone was at Cobham, even Terry

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Tim gave presents to the Cobham crew,

Fa la la, la la la, la la la

Thanked them all for everything they do

Fa la la la la, la la la la

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We fourteen Wayfarers of west London are

Bearing warm clothes, we traverse afar

Field and fountain, moor and Epsom Downs,

Following yonder Garmin

Oh, ride of wonder, ride of frostbite,

ride with winter beauty bright

Round in circles, still proceeding

Twenty miles before we’re eating

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Other people's entries gratefully welcomed: they cannot be worse!

The first of the early starts for December rides: I arrived early at Cobham to find the door still shut, with Tim and Ged already standing outside.    After waiting about ten minutes, a sizeable queue had built up, and we decided to try the door.  It was open!   Tim and Ged knew this and were simply chatting outside in the sunshine.   Inside were several Wayfarers, and the Cobham RBL volunteers all assembled to serve us tea and coffee, probably wondering where we all were.  Tim presented the Cobham team with gifts from the Wayfarers, thanking them for looking after this "monthly circus of cyclists" as he kindly described us!  David Bellchamber in turn thanked us and said they very much enjoy hosting us each month, which was nice to hear.

View from Epsom Downs (Photo: Neil W)

Dave was due to lead the ride today but was poorly, so I got to lead his lovely ride through hills and dales to lunch at Thames Ditton.  Winter sunshine on frosty fields:  although there was a bit of mist still in the air the views from Headley and Epsom Downs were rather lovely and worth the ascents on quiet roads.   From Epsom Downs it was all downhill to lunch and we arrived a bit early at The Angel with cold noses and toeses, in time for a pre-lunch drink.

Pam's organisation worked flawlessly and the staff were great, serving us a very enjoyable meal which I think was enjoyed by all, especially Patrick, who was celebrating the end of a two-week diet.

Thank you to Dave for planning such an enjoyable ride: we all send our best wishes for a quick recovery, to Ged for back-marking,    And huge thanks to Pam, who organises the lunch so well and makes it look so easy, which I'm sure results from a lot of hard work and organisation behind the scenes.

Dave's route

Dave's hills