Report for B Group - 10th January

Steph had advertised that a skulk of Arctic Foxes, a sleuth of Polar Bears and a small colony of Emperor Penguins would gather at The Bean on the Green watering hole for Elevenses. So we arrived all puffed up in our winter coats and colourful plumage, unsurprised to find that Michaela Strachan was there too and we assumed she was waiting to observe us. However, when it dawned on us that we were not about to become the stars of a new episode of Winter Watch we all went off on a bike ride with Steph.

~ Tim C

[The new series of Winter Watch will broadcast on BBC2 on Tuesday 16th at 20:00]

En route to Elevenses Tim asked how to find the café

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A jolly crowd gathered in the cold but not icy conditions at Hersham.  Bean on the Green served us well, helped by the fact that the As were next door at Costa.  The C Group tigers whirled up as we prepared to depart into the glorious sunshine facing a host of golden daffodils blooming on the Green.

The hurricane winds had dropped and flood conditions in the Thames Valley were of more concern.  I was pleased I hadn't routed to Windsor but sorry that flooding around Shepperton and Egham was on the minds of a few Nor'Westers.

As expected there were some who succumbed to the pleasures of a morning under the duvet but others who made the ride out to Hersham and then retreated. After a few apologies from those who were returning home, we left The Bean on the Green in two comfortable groups.  Terry was just beginning coffee as we left and was going to make his own way back to Dorking (he was later sighted in the vicinity of Ripley though the extensive muffler prevented or maybe confirmed the sighting).

The route was well known and easy to navigate.  I was determined to avoid the potholes and traffic lights of Addlestone so we took the Crockford Park Rd and later continued on Bittams Lane and the park to meet Stonehill and the rolling heathlands of Chobham.

The sunshine was welcome and did serve to dispel the chill a little but everyone lunched at Wetherspoons in Woking with a quick departure in mind for the remaining eleven miles to Café Barbera in Stoke d'Ab. before the sun disappeared.

Newcomer to Bs, Don Elms, was welcomed.   Hero of the day was Tim Gibbons who agreed to subhead for John Austin's group in the afternoon at very short notice as John had to return home at lunchtime.   Stalwart was Julie tackling the ride with enthusiasm despite being still on the road to recovery.

On the bridge in Woking

Thanks to all for their company and especially the sub leaders and backmarkers.

~ Steph

Later, at the Café Barbera