Five riders met at the designated time of 09:15hrs at Nonsuch Masion, Trevor Hughes, Mick Curtis, Gareth Moss, Ash Kesvani and myself leading. It was an overcast, dull, but still day as we set off and continued to stay that was for the whole ride.
We headed out on the usual route via Ewell, the Hogsmill River and through the borders of Worcester Park. Just before the A3 yours truly snagged a bramble around the handlebars and was dumped into a very comfortable, soft clay, damp puddle. With no harm done to the bike we continued under the A3 through to Berrylands and into Kingston. After crossing the bridge we entered the palace grounds, Home Park, and exited onto the Thames tow path about a mile from Hampton Court Bridge.
The Thames was busy. Around thirty large nine person rowing boats from the clubs were having a rowing regatta, man can those craft shift we a good team on board! Soon we were at East Molesey Cricket Club for elevenses. We sensibly sat outside the venue in the fresh air, which today we were lucky enough to have a November temperature of 11c.
The route back took us in to Bushey Park away from the busy Thames tow path. We then retraced back through a busy Xmas shopping crowded Kingston Market and back along the Hogsmill.
We parted company just before Ewell with Trevor and myself heading back up through Horton Park and Mick and Ash heading back towards Sutton.
Good ride chaps, for me 26.2 miles.
Pictures: Ash Kesvani