Ride Report - Sunday 4 August (North Cheam and Putney)

 

Elevenses today was at the spiritual home of the Cheam and Morden (Wetherspoons), where formerly stood the Granada cinema, starting point for our rides way back when!   Our pater familias, Richard D, remembers those days and  was one of fourteen of us who gathered for coffee.

Two made their own ways home, while the rest of us continued to lunch at Putney.    Recent rides have been relatively long and hilly, but this one was short and mainly!  We took in the unexpected sights of Mayflower Park, Worcester Park before heading for Cannon Hill Common.    At Raynes Park we made a beeline for the Beeline, then veered off alongside the A3 towards Richmond Park.   After the Roehampton Estate it was all downhill, mainly via quiet backroads, into the centre of Putney.

The Rocket was quieter than usual and we had our choice of outdoor tables with a refreshing breeze off the river.   Service was quick and efficient, but we got settled in and, as ever, it was an effort to get going for the ride home!

We dodged most of the usual traffic congestion to Priory Lane then re-entered Richmond Park and made a diagonal for Teddington Lock and tea.

Thanks to Andy for back-marking, Graham, Tony and Geoff for navigational advice (!), and to everyone else for your company!   It was particularly nice to have Niall, Gina and Ray W with us on the ride.