You know you get those days when everything that can go wrong does go wrong?
The Riverhouse Barn, is a mere 500 metres from home for me, so naturally I set off in the opposite direction, feeling duty bound to do a warm-up loop of ten miles or so just to ensure I was suffering like the rest of my victims before we set off from elevenses. I had just got going when my front light began, inexplicably, falling off its handlebar mount. After a few times I realised that I was clipping it in correctly, but that the clip thingy was faulty, so I had to turn around, go home and find a replacement.
By now I had realised that it was going to be far to cold on the ride to stop and take many photographs - not only would my fingers would be too cold, but also my camera lens would be steamed up! This was potentially serious because if I could not pad out my ride report with pictures, I might actually have to resort to writing something!
Eventually I got to elevenses and, despite the gloom and chill, 16 or so of us set off towards lunch at Farnborough. Half were fortunate to be in the hands of a very competent leader, Neil C, who had very kindly volunteered to sub-lead. The rest had to put up with me! Through the gloom I couldn't make out most of the places we passed through on the outbound ride - possibly Fairoaks, Bisley, and Frimley Green. I dimly made out Neil's group at one point, huddled around a bike. A fire might have kept them warm better but I suppose they didn't have any matches! We carried on past them, arriving punctually at our intended lunch stop, the Tilly Shilling, only to be confronted by a welcoming sign - 'no food'! Well, two things had already gone wrong, so there was bound to be a third!
Call me a belt and braces man, but I had seen this one coming, so, as you would expect, I had identifed not just one, but three alternative lunch stops, all further on along on our return route! I told my group it was fifteen minute's ride to the furthest of these, at Pirbright, carelessly neglecting to mention the intervening hill! Despite the disruption we got there, shaken but not stirred, not too long after 1.00 pm.
It was the first time I had ever lunched in a yurt, but given the Mongolian weather, it seemed strangely appropriate! A limited choice of sophisticated fare was an offer and it was even possible to order a draft beer! The verdict was good, but capacity is limited, especially in winter.
On the rest of the ride back I think I noticed Hook Heath, Sheerwater and Brooklands through the gloom as we went past, but Squires at Hersham was barely visible by the time we arrived at about 3.40 pm.
Thanks to all for your company, and for putting up with it all, including the dastardly weather! Many thanks again to Neil C for sub-leading and to Simon L for back-marking my group.
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