It was a perfect summer day, apart from the weather forecast. 33 degrees, thunderstorms, large hailstones and downpours. Also, it's actually autumn, but nobody told the weather.
Such trifles don't bother Cheam and Morden riders, or maybe they just don't look at the weather forecast. Six of us arrived at Addlestone, rather hot and sweaty in the early morning humidity. After sampling the delights of the Golden Cafe, we left Graham to do his own thing and set off, seeking shade on the Basingstoke Canal. This worked quite well, nobody fell in, and we stayed reasonably cool as we rode all the way through Woking to Goldsworth Park for a bit more waterside fun. This was a very pleasant route we used to do regularly with Graham about a decade ago. A little wiggle round Chobham before offering the option of riding through Pennypot ford (no takers) and then off to Bagshot. It was now overcast and a bit cooler than expected, so we sat outside at the Kings Arms and were treated to large portions at very reasonable prices.
There was a deluge forecast for just after lunch, but all we encountered was a baby shower. No, a real "Baby Shower" with the blooming mum-to-be surrounded by her friends, no doubt offering her plenty of useful advice. When it started spotting with actual rain, we left with all haste, hoping to dodge the heavy stuff. The route through the posh bits of Windlesham and Sunninghill allowed us to indulge in a bit of house-envying, before we joined the real upper crust at the Guards Polo Club for a few chukkas. Then it was downhill all the way to Virginia Water and tea at Great Cockrow steam railway. The rain seemed to catch up with us and there were more than a few spots, but once we got on the move we seemed to escape again as we all headed to Chertsey, where we bumped into Ray Youlden before all parting company in Shepperton.
Thank you to all for enjoyable company on the ride, to the weather for cooperating, and to Jennie for back marking.
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