Sunday 29th December 2024

 Today we went north into the "Big Smoke".........freezing fog, mist & murk more like, so when eight appeared at North Cheam for a early departure, I was pleasantly suprised.

Most had four layers or more but Daniel was caught out by the low temperature & shivered most of the way round but Geoff was able to help out in the glove department to save on frost bitten fingers.

Nine became ten after the "welcome" ? hill of Cottenham Park Road (sorry Lilian, I know you would beg to differ).

Drivers (mostly) kept to the 20 mph speed limit along Parkside & we descended to a traffic free Putney High Street.

Fulham Road took us to West Brompton & then up to the cavernous Tesco at West Kensington.

Ordering was quick & easy using big screens that I'm more used to seeing in McDonalds (not that I ever go in McDonalds).

By the time we were ready to leave, numbers had swelled further to fifteen (Steph arrived shortly after this pic was taken).

Lunch was due east but we were to ride north & complete "a lap" of the Regents Park outer perimeter road which Komoot calls a "highlight", probably due to its wide pothole free surface, lack of traffic, road furniture & stuff to slow you down.

Bring on the fast men (& women).

Passing London Zoo, I pondered what the Zebras thought about the cold, sadly they looked too miserable to be bothered.

A Garmin malfunction caused a minor delay but we were soon in Hyde Park dodging the many pedestrians heading for the "Winter Wonderland".

Ice Mountain:

This indoor spinning rollercoaster gives you a thrilling experience of the Arctic as you ride through mountain caverns, meet the resident penguins and see dazzling northern lights.

"Not my cup of tea" says Sabine.

On reaching Trafalgar Square it appeared we hadn't lost anybody so just after 1pm, lunch was served at Kozzy café in the back streets of Holborn.

This was the bit I most feared because as the place was "walk in" only, the ride could of gone seriously pear shaped at this point.

But somehow everyone got seated, fed and I sensed a general feeling of satisfaction amongst the diners.

Photo credit Simon

A few of us stopped for a NT tea at the Potting Shed café (Morden).

Photo credit Madeleine

Thanks to Clive for back marking on his 3rd C&M ride - today with his son George, various corner markers & to use a favourite phrase by Dave W - thanks for putting up with it all.

Finally, I wish all C&M riders past & present & casual blog readers a HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SAFE NEW YEAR !