Three riders out today in warmish October weather, Bill Kent, Dave Elliott and myself leading. The October weather continues to surprise, last week chilly and windy, this week overcast and 59°F at 09:00hrs. The air was still, not a breath of wind as we set off through the back streets of Ewell in an Epsom direction.
On our route Ewell, Epsom Common, part way across we stopped and Bill helped a family whose little boy had a problem with his tiny mountain bike. The two Allen key bolts on the handlebar stem had worked loose and the little ‘un had discovered the wheel facing the opposite way to the handlebars just before he fell off. Luckily Bill had the correct size Allen key to get youngster safely on his way with mum, dad and the doggy in tow. After the common we crossed the A24 north of Leatherhead and into Prince’s Coverts. There we did a loop south west and then north west to bring us out at Birchwood Lane, Limekiln Woods. After crossing under the A3 we entered Arbrook Common and the slight climb to Claygate and the cafe.
The cafe stop was quiet and such was the weather that we were able to eat outside comfortably with nil wind and the sun occasionally, briefly appearing.
The route back took us across Claygate Common, the side of Barwell Farm, Chessington South and across Horton Country Park where the trio split for home.
Shortish ride this week, 20 miles.