It was a lovely, sunny start despite the brisk and distinctly chilly wind, and no less than 17 of us, if I have it right, met for elevenses at Cafe Barbera, Stoke d'Abernon. Tony H very kindly led a group on a sensible and direct route to lunch at Wetherspoons, Epsom, while those who were unlucky enough to join me were led a merry dance around the lanes, paths and backstreets of Oxshott, Claygate, Chessington and West Ewell. It might have come across to the others as a mystery tour - where we going was certainly a mystery to me! Fortunately, Simon, as a diligent back-marker for our group, was there to inject some common sense into proceeedings!
At some length, more by luck than judgement, I suspect, we arrived at the scheduled lunch stop. And well before 1.00 pm (and that certainly wasn't due to any tail wind)! Wetherspoons was reasonably busy, but, with a team effort, we were eventually able to secure ourselves a group of tables close together. Inside the Assembly Rooms at Sunday lunchtime is never the ideal environment, but it does make for a popular ride, and does attract some members who do not often have the opportunity to join our other rides.
By some sleight of hand behind my back, while we had a similar number of lunch-goers to elevenses-goers, but there were significant changes to the cast list! Notably, it was nice to be joined by Ann B, fresh from another marathon, and by Ed, who had ridden from home. Hopefully, when we next visit the Assembly Rooms, it will not be too cold for us to benefit from the relative peace of the outside seating!
Wisely, perhaps, most of the lunch-goers sped off in the opposite direction when they heard I was leading the ride back too! Tony, Pam and Simon were too nice to say 'no' and accompanied me back towards Hampton Court. At Chessington a snap decision to turn right onto Woodstock Lane to cut off the Claygate corner nearly brought us to a sticky end, literally! The infamous subway was open (just about), but the further we ventured in, the thicker the mud became! That decision will live with me, and my previously nice, clean bike, for some time to come! Finis coronat opus, as my old granny used to say!
Anyway, thanks to everyone for turning out in force on such a chilly day, and thanks for your company!
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