Saturday 14th December, off road East Molesey Cricket Club

Only two riders out today due to the Kingston Phoenix Christmas lunch gig. Adam Domaingue and I set off and followed the Hogsmill River to Kingston. After crossing under the A3 we encountered a section of the river path that had been wrecked by ’Planned Improvements.’ Unfortunately for everyone the recent storms and heavy rain had the effect of bogging down the contractor’s heavy plant to the point were they’d turned the field into mud soup two feet deep, and they’d obviously decided not to continue the project, for obvious reasons!

Admitting defeat, and sensibly, as our wheels were close to being seized with the gloop, we diverted away to another alternative path that was ‘just passable,’ but that ‘Old London flood, clay silt,’ needed some serious persuasion to let go of our bike frames. ‘Canal Puddle’ – the best description.

Kingston was quiet, the low temperatures and murky overcast conditions making our ride reasonably easy through the market area with not that many people about. After crossing Kingston Bridge we took the Tow Path route to Hampton Court, and I was surprised at the Palace that the temporary ice rink installation wasn’t busy. People not spending? We crossed the bridge and headed for the elevenses stop a half mile beyond.

Thankfully they’d switched the heating on inside, so our stop and food were very pleasant, and good value for Hampton Court area.

We set off for the return journey about an hour later using a route away from Kingston towards Thames Ditton following a small section of the River Mole. It was at this point the sun came out and left both of us unable to see where we were going for a while due to the sun’s low angle.

After Thames Ditton we crossed Esher Common and wove our way through the back streets of Claygate and Chessington South.  We entered a soggy Horton Country Park were Adam and I parted company, him heading for Carshalton and me back to the car park.

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