Until now I have never been quite sure of the meaning of the phrase 'howls of execration', but after today's ride I have a much better understanding! The morning started off peaceably enough with Bob, Simon, Lilian, Ed, Diane, Dave E, Graham, Pam, Geoff G and Ray W joining me for a very pleasant elevenses, al fresco, at Squires, Stoke d'Abernon.
We left Bob at Squires and set off over Downside Common and Wisley Airfield towards Ripley where Lilian and Ed left us. The rest of made towards Send Church where I thought it would be a good idea to introduce the group to the delights of the footpath to Sutton Green!
The path starts off innocently enough but soon sinks into a deep rut, then nettles close in on either side, then there is a barbed wire fence on one side and the river Wey very close by on the other, but once you have crossed the narrow, awkward, steep-stepped bridge you have passed the worst...until the stile at the top of the steep bank across the meadow! Anyway, everyone took this character-building, assault course-type route in their stride and there were no visible injuries, or more importantly, damaged bikes!
From there it was an easy ride through Woking Park to recover in the haven that is Wetherspoons! After a good lunch we took the usual route back to Walton Bridge via Sheerwater, West Byfleet, Addlestone and Weybridge, no off-road sections by request!
Many thanks to everyone for putting up with my dastardly outbound route, and to Geoff for very kindly back-marking all day.
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