The Addlestone start didn't start well - a (tiny) thorn in my rear tyre. It was a 30 minute struggle despite many hands and tools (mainly Dave's). Wisely he headed home; the remaining seven (GFH, Andy, Diane, Martina, Pam, Simon, Tony) stayed south of the Basingstoke Canal used by the previous week's ride from the same 11s.
We blame the Met Office when they get it wrong. Today they were cursed when they got it right! (3 hours of heavy but intermittent rain). Within two miles we struggled into "waterproofs" which would stay in place until lunch. Green trees offered little shelter so on we pedalled.
After dry Pyrford Common and Maybury a second downpour trapped us on Arthur's Bridge west of Woking's town centre. It was the last downpour though we had no way of knowing that.
Ever optimistic we dismissed thoughts of Spoons or where ever and continued to Goldsworth Park and a three-quarter circuit of the lake. With time pressing the main road (A322) was pressed into service for the last mile or so to the Hare and Hounds in West End. We were 45 minutes late but the garden was nearly empty and had a heated smokers shelter.
The return was quickly plotted. Pennypot Lane led us to Chobham. Here the Ottershaw road (A319) is currently one way so we continued on Red Lion and Gracious Pond roads. Approaching Holloway Hill Tony suggested Squires (opposite St Peters) where we dined alfresco until closing time (1630).
I was home after 1815 and 40 miles.
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