Easy Riders ride report - 24th June

We left Walton in two separate groups and went along the Broad Water track to Weybridge and then taking the back roads via Ham Moor to Addlestone level crossing. Just after the day centre in Station Road we turned right into Crouch Oak Lane then left and right into Green Lane as far as the bridge carrying the A317. Just after the bridge we turned right onto the track across Addlestone Moor to be confronted at the end by a bridge over the railway line. As we thought we had little alternative we summoned all our reserves to carry our bikes over the bridge and had a deserved rest on the other side. The second group was advised by a local to take a track alongside the railway to Chertsey station so missed out on a testing workout. Both groups knew that we were aiming for Chertsey Bridge and turning left to follow the Thames to Laleham where we turned right into Ferry Lane and right again into Abbey Drive.

Along Abbey Drive you arrive at Laleham Abbey which is a bit of a misnomer as the original Palladian building was built by the second Earl of Lucan at the beginning of the nineteenth century and named Laleham House. It was only when nuns took up residence there for about fifty years at the beginning of the twentieth century that it earned the name "Abbey" by the locals and the name stuck.

We turned right along the B376 to the roundabout where we took Littleton Lane down to the next roundabout and then along Chertsey Road to Dockett Eddy Lane to arrive for our lunch break of sandwiches, etc. at Thames Court. We had hoped to sit at the tables there but the entrance was blocked. After lunch we followed the roads to Sunbury and Hampton Court via Bushy Park and home. Just Helen Tovey and Maureen Gallichan decided to stop for tea at Hampton Court. It was straight home for the rest of us.

John B