We kept the numbers down with minimal advertising, so as not to embarrass the A Group, but by Monday night we had twenty nine takers for this year's New Year's Eve ride. All the leaders had come out for the recce on Monday, and Tuesday was a busy day as certain individuals awoke from their festive stupor, glanced at the weather forecast and panicked but as many as dropped out, replacements opted in.
The leaders and a couple of friends out for the final recce on Monday
The last day of 2025 dawned cold in the Big Smoke but the roads were not slippery as I passed the shivering drivers scraping their windscreens. There was a cold wind when you started pedalling, though, but very little traffic. Bushy Park was wintry and the wildlife had found warmer places than along Cobbler's Walk. No deer, no wildebeest, no giraffes and therefore no lions as I traversed the park; only the odd dog, not very wild and not in a pack, hardy runners and equally hardy Sou'Westers all making their way to Colicci at the Pheasantry.
Wednesday morning, Bushy Park
Bushy Park on a normal dayThere we had thirty B riders, with one no-tell-no-show. Sadly, Tony was not feeling well enough to carry on, so twenty nine rode out; we trust you perked up to see in the New Year in style, Tony. Grant, who is working three days this week, the last week of his eighty-ninth year, to join the ride and it was great to see Ged, recovering from his injuries, in mufti for elevenses, too.
Mick's group being jolly happy
What had the weather done to us? While the As were outside taking a vote on curtailing their ride because of the cold we permitted no such namby-pamby nonsense. I had ridden the route three times prior and especially designed it for their pleasure, so they were going to ride every last inch of it and bloody well enjoy it, frostbite or not.
Tim's group. In this cold the leader is a mere shadow of himself
So off we went, through Teddington and then west along the River Crane; past what the lady inside my 'phone called Street McGarets (to rhyme with carrots; work that one out you Christmas quizzers); past the plague pit at Isleworth; past the forbidding looking house in Syon Park where eighteen-year-old Lady Jane Grey was declared Queen of England and thereby doomed by her avaricious relatives; past the lodgings from where Richard Reynolds, a Bridgettine monk, was taken to be hung, drawn and quartered at Tyburn for refusing to accept the king's marriage to Anne Boleyn; over the early Brunel Bridge in Brentford Docks; past the Fullers Brewery HQ north of Chiswick Bridge; through Dukes Meadows; under Hammersmith Bridge, that apparently permanent monument to incompetent governance; past Fulham Football Club and through Bishop's Park to cross south of the river and lunch at The Rocket, where they had no zero Guinness and the barman, without a note of irony, asked if I wanted a glass of ice with my non-alcoholic cider (aka expensive apple juice).
By the time we had got to Brentford we had overtaken Mick's group but I got a flat in Chiswick (there's not many can afford a flat in Chiswick nowadays) and Gill H kindly took on leadership of my group while the loyal Alan and Steph stayed behind to ensure their leader did not perish of hypothermia; many thanks to them.
Two of the puncture repair team from Paul's group, outside The Cottage. The third member, Steph, took the photo. Johnny Haynes was wearing shorts despite the cold
Folk were fretting about getting home in the light but it was only thirty minutes at the very most to Roehampton Gate, where we eschewed tea and cake and from where we made our individual ways home.
'Twas a bracing experience but, I hope for everyone, an enjoyable way to see out the year.
Thanks especially to the leaders, Tim G, Mick A and John A, and to all who helped, such as back markers and puncture repair engineer-advisors.
Tim G's report
A cold and chilly start did nothing to deter a good number of hardy souls to brave the weather for a day out on two wheels. Our group of seven left promptly from Bushy Park to follow the varied and well planned route that passed along and through a number of places of interest on the way. We took advantage of a sunny spot beside the river for the customary photo and then proceeded to our lunchtime stop at ‘The Rocket’ by Putney Bridge.
Although the pub was busy everyone was promptly served, fed and watered in good time. After lunch all but one of my group (perhaps weary of their leader’ style) decided to make their own way home. So, bereft of any semblance of a group to lead we humbly applied and attached ourselves to the last group who graciously accepted our pleas and led us to our final destination.
The cafe in Richmond Park was quite busy so only two decided to stop for tea. The rest decided to take advantage of the remaining daylight hours and return home before it got dark. Congratulations to everyone who turned out today. It’s always very encouraging to see a good number of club members supporting a well planned and executed ride.
Happy New Year to you all !
