Four riders met at Nonsuch, Mick Curtis, Ed Pegg, Dave Clarke and myself leading.
A lovely morning with bright sunshine and temperatures well into the high sixties (19°C) at nine in the morning. Our route took us out through Ewell and followed the Hogsmill River most of the way to Kingston Upon Thames. A closed section of path along the river just after leaving Ewell had us in the back streets as it looks as if the construction of the planned water meadows has begun.
Kingston was relatively quiet with either the heat keeping people away or holidays. A bonus for us as the daft design of the cycle lane in the Kingston Market area has pedestrians unaware it even exists!
We crossed Kingston Bridge with the sun sparkling on the Thames water and headed for Bushey Park and some shade. The deer were all hiding under the shade of the trees and told us to go away, and so we left the park and continued through Hampton Wick, Kempton and finally arrived at Walton around 11:15hrs.
Good food and good views of the river whilst we relaxed in the shade with the temperature now hovering at 83°F (28°C) We were loving it!
The journey back had us crossing a few gridlocked streets in the Walton area, cause unknown, but not a problem to us off roaders’. Back through Thames Ditton, Esher Common, Arbrook Common (south of Claygate) and back through Chessington South with the occasional momentary stop in the shade to cool off and prevent us all melting.
The group divided at Horton Country Park with Mick and Ed heading for home in Sutton, and Dave and I heading back to the top end of Horton, him for home and me back to the car, sensibly parked in the shade!
Good ride chaps, 32.5 miles for me.