Report for Easy Riders - 19th January

Near zero temperatures but five hardy – some might say foolhardy - souls braved the cold. It was bitter en route to elevenses at Molesey but we soon ascertained that the roads were ice-free and presented no problem. Traffic seemed relatively light, too.

Thanks are due to Madeleine Shearer who chose the route (which she readily admitted she had borrowed from the B group) and was our leader for the day.

Having crossed the river at Hampton Court, we went through Bushy Park and on to Teddington where there was plenty of noisy support for striking nurses outside the hospital. We soon turned north and after a mile or two joined the path alongside the River Crane. The only slight cause for concern was the flooded railway underpass but, fortunately, the raised curb meant we did not get wet feet.

Following a brief photo op outside Twickenham Stadium, we were glad to put the stench of the West Middlesex Drainage Works behind us. From there on to Osterley Park where the lake by the house was still iced over. We exited the park at the gate close to the M4 and made our way via Wyke Green to lunch (a drink and a sandwich fair value at £12 on the fixed-price menu) at the welcoming Hare and Hounds.

The little warmth we were thankful for in the middle of the day began to fade as we made our way homeward. Our route followed the A4 for a while before joining the Grand Union Canal towpath. Thence to Syon Park and on to Kingston, staying as close to the river as possible.

We might have set out with limited expectations but it was a thoroughly enjoyable ride, including some parts of west London that were new to most of us.

Madeleine was joined by Anne Connaughton, Frank Barnsley, Bernard Power and myself.

Regards,

Frank C

(Photos by Madeleine)

(ride recorded by Madeleine)