Sunday, January 14, 2024

C&M Ride, Stoke D to Epsom for lunch. 14/1/24

Cafe Barbeara is a really nice 11's, I arrived just before 10.30 to a good throng of C&M cyclists., Dave, Simon, Madi, Diane, Terry, Andy, Bernard and Sabina. Carolin, John, Ed and Graham were also present but only went to 11's. Madi and Ed made their own way to lunch. We set off and headed towards Oxshot and on the way Martina joined us, she is one of the Ealing Friday riders. A round-the-(very nice private)-house route brought us to Sandy Lane and then onto the A244 heading North to the roundabout of the Esher bypass (A3). The plan was to get onto Esher Common, but my route was barred by a fallen tree. But another entrance in the bushes meant we managed, but the first section was not really cyclable.

   
Getting ready to leave the warmth of 11's
 
We soon reached the private road which we cycled for around 200 metres, then onto a nice off-road track taking us to Arbrook Lane and North for a mile or 2 eventually coming around to Claygate. We were soon at the outskirts of Chessington. We took the usual Woodgate Avenue but carried on past Mansfield Road, heading into Merritt Gdns, and a few wrong turns before I eventually found the entrance to the bridleway that led to Barwell Lane. We crossed the A243 into Garrison Lane, coming out on Moor Lane heading towards Ewell, then the route past Horton Country Park and to lunch at the Assembly Rooms in Epsom.

Easher Common

Bob and Ed were taking the Sunout side joined by Madi. During lunch Dave headed off home and after lunch numbers dwindled slightly as only Bernard, Sabina, Simon, Diane and Martina headed for tea at Dish, Hampton Court. Hot Chocolate and chatter, a few had cake and tea. Before it was time to head for our homes, as dusk was rapidly approaching. A lovely if somewhat chilly day out, thank you all for your company and to Simon for back marking, also a big thank you to Andy for being the day's photographer.

Tony..


No comments: