For a crow this was less than thirty miles but I stretched it to just over fifty. A call late on Saturday reminded me that Addlestone didn't officially open until 11 (actually 1035) so eight of us including two newbies went on a tour of the Royal Borough. We inspected Surbiton's Alpha Road (still? the roughest place in town) followed by roads more befitting its Victorian tag of "Queen of the Suburbs" - now disputed by Ealing of all places! After the site of Gorbachev's last burger we climbed up to the Esher crossroad and descended past Sandown. Here Francoise performed a puncture with quadruple chain twist! 45minutes later the Humphreys were pointed in the direction of Esher station, and the blackened Ed and Ian were ready to continue. Naturally my hasty revised route could be discarded and the quickest way to Addlestone saw us arrive by 11 despite closed gates at the station.
Suitably refreshed around 20 willing souls now cycled onto Liberty Lane (you can guess the rest) and into Burrowhill. Here excessive chattering in the ranks was rewarded with (a not so) Steep Hill. I was relieved to discover that there is still a footpath in Poplar Avenue Windlesham so we rode into South Ascot across (not on) the A30. An oddly named Dry Arch Lane opened the door to Sunningdale and the Nag's Head dead on one o'clock. The menu stretched to one item - pizza (divers toppings) served one at a time at six minutes intervals. Not a problem and one hour later we were on our way to Blacknest gate and soon slaloming through the Sunday hordes to Savill Gardens. Prune Hill and Thorpe Green (via Hurst Lane) kept them guessing but in Lyne I punctured so the ladies were commanded to lead the flock to a revised teastop, the Riverhouse Gallery Walton. At Walton Bridge something caused the flock to scatter unexpectedly - silly sheep; no fault of the shepherds (I was later informed). Nine (eventually) lingered until closing time at the new venue (you know who's only complaint was the size of the cups).
Postscript from Francoise and Frank
We managed to ride back home via Hampton Court admittingly in a leisurely way. THANKS to Ed and Ian for their heroic efforts at trying to fix the problems and to everyone who so patiently waited for us.
2 comments:
What was the names of the two newbies?
Pete
I wrote down the name of one: Andrew French.
The other I don't know; he was waiting outside Tesco, but Pam can confirm his first name. Was it Naveed?
Jeff
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