Four riders braved the sub-zero temperatures today and met at the usual Nonsuch spot. Adam Domaingue, Tracy Caudle, Trevor Kite and myself leading.
Surrey was a cold, bright, sunny, winter wonderland this morning, and with the temperature at -3.5°C as we left Nonsuch my wonder was, ‘I wonder if I’ll make it to Bockett’s in this weather?!!’
The weekly park running group was decidedly thin on the ground and so I decided to follow their running route around and out of the park. There was a satisfying crunch to the frosty, frozen ground as we rolled over it and various paths were chosen just because they were rock solid mud instead of the usual gloop this time of year.
Pic: Adam Domaingue.
Our route followed the Hogsmill and up into Horton Park, after this we entered Epsom Common. I commented in passing to a lady dog owner at my disappointment that her St Bernard didn’t have the brandy barrel collar. She stated, ‘He’s left it behind!’
Due to the temperature I had already stated I was cutting the route a little short by heading to Clarke’s Cafe in Leatherhead. ‘Kismet’ (fate) had other ideas and upon our arrival Clarke’s it was already well rammed with customers and so Bockett’s Farm it was.
The barn at Bockett’s was warm and cosy. The farm was in full swing with seasonal activities for the kiddies and Xmas trees were seen leaving strapped to car roof racks.
We refuelled with something warm and about an hour later we were heading back over the fields to Leatherhead town centre. The temperature had now got to 5°C and my knees were suddenly a lot more co-operative due to it! We passed through the town using the usual residential back streets. Then we used the M25 car park viewing bridge, the ‘up and over and under path’ to get us from outside the M25 to the inside and onto Ashtead Common.
My ride finished as usual at the car park in Horton Park whilst the trio carried on towards Cheam and home.
Good ride lady and gentlemen, for me 22 and a bit miles.