A Group Ride from Teddington to Eton and Hampton Court, 18th December 2024.

 On a blustery and balmy December day - it was warm enough for Simon to wear his cycling sandals without socks!, 23 A riders turned up at Teddington for an early start to Eton. (Apart from 3 other rides this year with 24 riders, this high turnout was a bit unexpected for a ride with the least daylight). Maybe it was the lack of a chill factor that brought people out - (the chill factor was experienced later in the Waterman's Arms where the heating thermostat probably matched the 15 degree outside temperature!).

Janice's group at St. Mary's church, Bedfont.

Janice led an on-road group. However, as she says, it was an off on-road ride and an on off-road ride as well!

Peter S, Richard, Patrick, Neil W, Dave W, Dave B, Daniel and I set off from Teddington as the final group.

We were the only on road group but as I hadn’t been able to recce the route I forewarned everyone and asked them to keep an eye on their navigation devices and let me know of any missed or wrong turns.

Quite soon there was a roadside discussion as to the correct turning but we all managed to stay on course. At a later turning I decided to forgo the on road route to avoid a busy roundabout to take the familiar gritty muddy path under the M25. Some followed me, some stuck to the course. That set the scene for the hybrid on/off road hybrid route that we then followed (or at times stumbled upon).

We caught up with Dave V’s group on the footbridge over the M4. 3 of my group elected to go off road with Dave but we caught them up when we turned left into Ditton Park. Something had gone wrong either by making that turn or shortly thereafter and my Garmin never fully recovered as we were now off course and the screen was frozen.

It took a while but by then I realised that when inviting the group to keep an eye on their navigation devices I had assumed that we would all be following the same on road route given in Ged’s email. Alas, some were following the off road route hence the confusion all round.

Somehow and with a muckier bike than hoped but mercifully no punctures we arrived at The Waterman. The sandwiches were inexpensive and good but the pub was cold.

We were glad to get outdoors again on the short December day so that we could warm up.

The on and off roaders.

The journey back to Hampton Court was plain sailing as far as navigation was concerned although the hoped for tail wind was still a fairly strong head wind for much of it. For those who stopped we were rewarded with enormous slices of cake and decent coffee.

Thanks to Ged for the route and apologies to my group for the uncertain and confusing lead! It was nevertheless enjoyable to be out in the fresh air on such a mild December day. Particular thanks to Peter for back marking and coping with having to decide at times which splinter of the group to follow!

My group were suited for on and off road, coping well with a large puddle in Ditton Park. Mike pictured us at crossing the bridge to the rather muddy track across Eton College Playing Fields.

Arriving in good time for lunch, there was plenty of opportunity to cool down as the other groups arrived, but it was rather too cool for most. Andy C mended a puncture whilst we lunched. It was good to get moving again!

 

The well-composed middle group.

Dave Vine had recced the route with me, and his group of eight picture below had a trouble-free ride - expertly back-marked by Simon. 

A large handful of starters arrived for tea at Dish, where Patrick happily tucked into the largest slab of coffee cake I've ever seen!

Thanks to Dave Vine and Janice for sub-leading a sometimes tricky route. And many thanks to all for making it a very enjoyable winter day's ride. Thanks to Mike for a seasonal visit and diligently back-marking my group all day.

Happy Christmas to all Wayfarers.