I thought a bad Halloween joke was being played on me on
Tuesday when I called our designated lunch spot only to discover that they only
had one chef on duty on Wednesdays, they could only accommodate 15 of us and I
should have been told that they do require pre-orders. Plan B had to be
hurriedly formed and I decided that I would lead group three and we would have
lunch at The Yurt in Pirbright.
Given the forecasted rain, a few folks dropped out on
Wednesday morning but a hardy group of
21 riders set out from Cobham with Gill, Paula and myself leading the groups.
Gill's report
The skies were very heavy as we left Cobham and we were
accompanied by showers most of the morning. Our first group of Tim C, Ann B,
Anne W, Maria, Jane, Alan and myself, set a steady pace in the wet conditions
but Paula’s second group slipped past us at Send as we took a short water
break. The route was mostly on quiet leafy lanes but still there were an
amazing number of traffic light controls around road works. Useful for
regrouping! It wasn’t cold but a heavy downpour just before we stopped for lunch
made the warm dry pub most welcome.
Food and service at the Royal Oak was good, despite
being busy. We hoped the third group had found their alternative lunch venue
okay. Happily we left the pub in beautiful autumnal sunshine which mainly
stayed with us for a lovely route back through the trees via Gracious Pond road
to a sociable tea at the cafe by Walton Bridge. A lovely day out! Thanks
everyone.
Paula's report
After a bit of switching with the groups, I set off to lead
the second group, which for some reason comprised only the male variety! With
John A back-marking and Terry Martin Mick Clive and Fixie Dave following
dutifully we made it to lunch slightly damp. I discovered during only my second
time of sub-leading that the male variety of cyclists prefer to cycle with
minimal chat!! Over lunch we discovered that all the female variety of cyclists
were in the other group where there had been no shortage of chat! After a very
nice lunch we set off in lovely sunshine to have tea at Walton bridge where
both the other two groups also stopped. Plenty of chat and giggles to finish a
very lovely (and slightly unexpected) day of cycling in a range of weather
conditions. Thanks to Sue for organising.
My report
I set off with the last group into worse than predicted rain and Gill F and Ray sensibly decided to peel off
and head for home just before Ripley. The
weather seemed to tease us all the way to Pirbright with the sight of blue sky
ahead whilst being pelted with rain from above.
Lunch at The Yurt was a theatrical experience; our bowls
appeared containing nothing but a couple
of slices of leek and a bit of green oil. Our waiter then, with great aplomb,
poured out our soup from individual jugs. And delicious it was too.
Warmed through in the cosy yurt, we ventured out into lovely sunshine for our ride back to Walton.
Madeleine left us at Addlestone and at Walton riverside we spotted Gill and Paula’s group at the Wild
Bunch about to have tea.
Now, if any of you are interested in how to keep your saddle dry whilst idling by the side of the road, Grant has an ingenious
method. Waiting whilst I faffed with my bike in Ripley, Madeleine was concerned
to see that Grant seemed to have his leg stuck halfway over the bar – imagine a sort of yoga tree pose. Worried
that he had become stuck in this position, Madeline enquired if there was a
problem? No says Grant, I’m just keeping my saddle dry! It was definitely worthy of a picture..
Thanks to my sub-leaders, back-markers and all group members for their excellent company on a wet but very enjoyable ride.
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