'A' Group Ride Report - Weds 29 December 21

 

The day started damp and dreary start but, our meeting place, Hampton Court Station offered  shelter from the rain and proved a good alternative to Elleray Hall, with all the same services except entertainment by the choir!   We were a select group of seven (Neil W, Sue C, Ged, Gina, Patrick, Dave B and me)  and I am pleased to say that, 'A' riders being hardy creatures, there were no cancellations owing to inclement weather!

Our ride to lunch took us cunningly around Epsom, avoiding the town centre, by a route previously unknown to us all, and then by some more quiet roads to Tattenham Corner,  and from there then on the fairly familiar route up through Tadworth to Monkswell.   Our ride was punctuated by stops to adjust clothing, the weather proving to be unseasonably mild as well as wet!   We eventually emerged at the M25 roundabout at Reigate Hill which we thankfully negotiated without incident.

Our lunch stop, Junction 8, was literally in the clouds today, extremely dank and murky, with little to be seen of Reigate just down the hill.   Sue quickly realised that the only sheltered table at the cafe was free, despite the crowds, so we quickly nabbed it.   Imagine our surprise and delight when it also proved to have a heater, so we could bask in a warm glow!

All good things must come to an end and we eventually had to plunge into the gloom towards Merstham, only to begin toiling back up Markedge Lane.    When we reached High Road the contrast in weather was striking - here, only a couple of miles from our lunch stop, it was dry, fog-free and almost sunny!

The rest of the ride took us through Woodmansterne and Banstead towards Ewell.   Sue and Gina left us there and the remaining five of us headed for our tea stop at Long Ditton.

Thanks all for your company and good spirits and particular thanks to Ged for patiently back-marking all day.   Happy New Year everyone!