I have been in shock all week: firstly our esteemed councillor does not know who Ken Joy of Medway Wheelers was (shurely some mistake?) , and secondly Wester Ross was admitted for emergency bottom bracket surgery and will be out of action for weeks. Thus it was with some relief that I set out on a sunny but cool day to join Ed, Andrew, Janice, John M, and Richard at North Cheam. The latter's attendance proved fleeting thanks to chain and puncture problems before Tadworth.

Clearly Ed had sprinkled something extra on his cornflakes as at fair pace we sped up Chalk Lane and through Walton On The Hill (sightings of heron and Crystal) to Pebblecombe and thence via The Fox Revived to Tesco Hookwood where we joined Andy, Bob, Ian, Petes B and F and Terry over a drink or two. Andrew, Bob and Janice now exited. The rest sampled Charlwood, the "Zoo" road, and Lambs Green before tackling the final climb to The Dragon, Colgate. During a protacted lunch, Ian was seen buying off the barman after being caught redhanded with firstly cheese and secondly roll in hand. At my suggestion we added Wimlands Lane to the return but still reached Capel well before three o'clock. John and the Petes went for an early bath whilst the rump headed for the cakes (3 if I'm being honest).

Warm when the sun was out; autumnal when it wasn't - about 65 miles.