Sunday 27th October 2024

I arrived at The Coronation Hall (Surbiton) to find Dave, Niall, Diane, Sabina & Bernard at the lookout point with bikes in full view.

Over the next 25 minutes we were joined by Simon, Graham, Tony, Martina, Keith & Madeleine.

Ten set off leaving Niall (front brake issue) & Madeleine to do a recce (for a future ride B group?)

The recce........an almost essential part of leading these days, although back in the day we never bothered.

Taking a wrong turn or getting lost was all part of the fun...but some navigators were better than others.

Step forward Graham & Dave.

Most of the route knowledge pre-Garmin was from doing the same routes countless times until even the front wheel knows which way to turn.

Over the years my knowledge has dwindled & I too rely on a route planner & Garmin.

But as Graham quite rightly pointed out at lunch "it's not a route I would of chosen".

Indeed, even with my route plotted on a device, I still managed to overshoot a turning & required Dave to bail me out as I didn't have a clue of how to correct my mistake.

We passed Brooklands museum & the Concorde in the grounds.

Concorde Delta Golf never entered service & was used for training & spare parts but it was 50 years ago this year, when it took its maiden flight from Filton to Fairford & 20 years ago when it arrived at the museum in pieces to be restored.

Brooklands did bid for one of the seven BA Concordes after they were retired in 2003 but were unsuccessful.

Also on show, a Wellington Bomber that was recovered from Loch Ness in 1985, one of only two that remain from the 11,461 that were built.

Incident Report - Diane's rear derailleur cable breaks.

Three choices.

1. Carry on the ride with two gears - one high & one very high.

2. Ride to a bike shop.

3. Ride to a train station.

Or find a random stone & wedge it in the gear mech so that the chain is forced to a bigger rear cog.....hence easier to ride.

Thanks to Simon & his ingenuity, Diane was able to continue without further incident.

At lunch, Astelet café in Send, Dave left us but we were joined by Terry.

Keith was aware of a rear slow puncture in Ripley but after a quick pump we made our way to the new Wisley Bridge.

Due to open on 11th November 2024.

"A view through the lens" is a youtube channel that gives drone footage of the bridge & is updated frequently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e0zJgchGVk

Seven stopped for tea at Squires, Stoke D' Abernon.

Thank you to Simon for backmarking & everyone else for their company.

Happy Halloween!

Thanks also to Simon & Sabine for the photos.