This is an ideal winter ride both short and undemanding. So why were we riding it in an early May which felt more like mid summer? Well, in January an indisposed Ed meant a scratch ride with only three reaching lunch ten minutes before opening time (blame Legs Legg)! As a previously unvisited CAMRA pub, there had to be a rerun so today was it.
Only four (myself, Ed, Keith, Tony) headed through Tolworth and the Dittons and then close by Esher and (site of) Hersham sewage works. Four became five as we caught Steve on the swoop down from the station into Weybridge. Despite some slow pedalling, we were minutes early for Tesco and there to met us were Andy, Bob, Irene, Pete M and Terry. As the doors opened we were swept up in a maelstrom of shoppers hieing from all directions. After a leisurely breakfast for those in need, we were off down Liberty Lane to Ottershaw. Leafy lanes led us down Gracious Pond Lane into Burrowhill and then by Woodlands Lane into Windlesham reaching The Bee at a more respectable 1215 - time aplenty for double portions for the drinkers.
Ninety minutes later we were across the A30 and into even leafier and more expensive Berkshire. Sunninghill became Sunningdale and via Blacknest we entered the Park where Polo was in the air. Seeking fresh pastures we exited at Bishopsgate for the Air Force memorial taking in its extensive views of Heathrow and the surrounding reservoirs. Dropping down the rough track, Ed remarked that it had been used years before for the Feltham hillclimb. It's now almost unrideable on loaded bikes - perfect then for NCN4! Through Chertsey and Staines we aimed for an Orangery which had closed by three. Steve's suggestion led us to the Walled Garden in Sunbury - another first. After another long and relaxing break, Hampton Court saw us split. Around 50 miles door to door, and my last ride until Twitton.
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