Monday, November 15, 2010

Sunday 14th November 2010

But for a topple this would have been John's debut ride. After a dead fox by the gasworks, there were just three awaiting a leader on the bridge including new boy, Alex from Twickenham. Bushey Park, Lower Feltham (via the spiral), BP and Charlton was thirty minutes too soon at Nutty Lane so an extra loop via Lower Shepperton and the watersplash was needed to reduce this to ten.

BBC got it right - dank and overcast become steady rain on departure with only nine (of seventeen) eager for more. After wiggles through Walton, Weybridge and Woodham the countryside round Ripley was briefly and barely in view before we reached the William IV in West Horsley - a pub in name but a creche today. After our soaking we were more than happy with the empty public bar and prompt service. The promised afternoon clearup did not happen (at least not until the evening and first frost of winter) so there was just a quartet for a short splash to Sainsbury's Cobham and home - under 50 miles including detours.

PS Last week's ups and downs: Horton Park, the Wells, the Anchor Bookham, Little Switzerland and Hurst Lane.

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