B Groups Wednesday the 31st Jan 2024

really good turnout at Ellery Hall, a few extras on the day plus a few dropouts, 30 had signed up for the ride and we had 2 sub-leaders, many thanks to Tony Hooker and Tim Court for taking on the roles.

It was a tad chilly and we had a headwind for the trip West. The shortish off-road had very little mud and we were soon cycling North of Sandown Park and past Sigma Sports workshops. The recently tarmacked alley took us to the Molesey Road and still heading West, we soon reached the outskirts of Weybridge, then Adlestone and into Green Lane finally into Hardwick Lane.

 

We soon reached the turn off of Almners Road then a left into St Ann's Hill Road and the short climb before a very fast descent.. It's a nice ride through the little parks of Chertsey before reaching the edge of Chertsey Meads and on to lunch at the Bridge Hotel.

Although we were the first group to leave 11's, the second group were already knives and forks ready for lunch? Mmm, a shortened route and missing St Ann's Hill. It did take a little while to cater for around 27 hungry cyclists and one or two lunches were not up to par, but overall a good lunch venue for big groups.

Having eaten, chatted and relaxed, it was soon time to head for tea, it was only 10 miles to the, relatively new cafe at the Lion Gate at Bushey Park. A touch more, good, off-road and a following wind saw us entering Bushey Park by the gate at St Alban's Riverside. Then only a short ride to tea.

It was nice to see a good few stops, the cakes were very good, and the cafe in in the old Lion Gate Hotel, which had been empty for a few years. Cycle parking is not catered for (yet), but we were upstairs and the bikes were in view just across the road.

It was soon time to be on our way as dusk was approaching. Thank you to everyone for another nice day out in good company. Once again, many thanks to Tony and Tim for Subing and to those who backmarked, which was Mick in my group.

Tony..

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After a few changes to the original lineup due to people feeling unwell, I headed out from the Elleray Hall with the third team, Christina, Bob, Martin, Anne and Ree, and across Bushy Park. We looped through Thames Ditton to Hinchley Wood then took the scenic path through Littleworth Common. The routes to Weybridge and Addlestone were familiar to some of us as the regular routes to Elevenses. We approached Chertsey by a devious route which included St Ann's Hill then missed the turn off Twynersh Avenue onto the cycle path. Back on track, we rode through Gogmore Farm Park, following The Bourne and carrying on into Free Prae Road Park before the final stretch to approach the pub from Bridge Wharf Road. This allowed a brief photo opportunity but after 20 miles the team were keen to hustle the leader into The Boathouse restaurant at The Bridge Hotel.

 

We enjoyed our leisurely lunches and were a bit tardy getting away. In Upper Halliford we rode the long tracks around past the London Irish Rugby ground and Sunbury and were finally in Bushy Park with a gentle tailwind pushing us to the Lion Gate Café which proved to be an excellent venue for afternoon tea. a first-time visit for most of us.

Thanks to Tony for devising the route and to my cheerful team for hanging in there.

 Tim