Sunday 1st February 2009

Doing my best Bibendum impression, I joined five huddled in Kingston’s doorways on a very chilly 101st for the old man (had he made it). From somewhere beyond the Urals, a strong breeze blew us past Hampton Court and waterworks then along back roads to Shepperton. In Staines the knee bandage was looking distinctly frozen as we lined up for Irene's hot sausages and baguettes. Soon seven became thirteen with Pete's DVD of the New Year's Day parade filling the giant screen.

Eventually over the water we went and round to Pooley Green where we joined Wednesday's route up Middle Hill, in at Bishopsgate and out at Cranbourne Gate. Eschewing the kidney, we turned at the next, crossed beside the Loch Fyne and reached Woodside's Duke of Edinburgh around twelve thirty. Bob and briefly Ian picnicked; the rest meekly settling for hot food.

On the return the racecourse and Watersplash Gate were familiar sights but we took the long route past George III to avoid that hill. The only variations on our morning ride were Tite Hill, a quiet towpath to Laleham and the Seasons (ex Orangery) café. In Kingston a sudden dusting of snow was a further reminder of just how cold it had been.