Wet & Windy Norwester's Ride 21/2/24

I had planned a nice  route of around 35 miles, going West to Warfield, but getting to 11's damp and the wind very strong at times, begged the  change to plan a shorter alternative route. Paula, Julie, Gill, Ray, Liz, Madi, Pam and myslef were the gathered few, 12 had booked the ride, but alas, a few had decided otherwise. 11 0-clock came and went, and it was around 20 past when we had donned out wet weathewr gear. Liz had decided to head straight home with other plans, and Pam headed West for home. Manygate lane to Walton bridge, then into a priate estate, which meant very little or no traffic. 

 Then a change of plan and down nearly to Walton again through another 3 private roads, . Just passed the entrance to the Smoked brewery, the puncture fairy struck Madi, it didn't take for to change the tube and we were off gain.

 

Madi's Mishap

 

The Advisors

We were soon heading up the back of Sandown park to Esher We very briefly took the Oxshott road turninng into yet another private road behind the Bear pub, when we reached the botton of the hill, Madi's tyre was flat again. Madi took charge and phoned a cab which took her, and bike, to the cycle shop at Thames Ditton, about 100 metres from our lunch stop, The Ye Olde Swan. I took a direct route to to lunch and we were soon waiting for our food in the warmth and cosiness of the pub.

Just as our food arrived, Madi arrived, her bike havintg the pucnture mended while we had our lunch. No tea stop was planned and we all headed our own ways Gome It was a nice ride despite the wind and rain and with a lovely group of Norwesters.We will do the planned route on another Norwester's ride in the future

Tony..

Author: Tony