Ride Report A Group 31 Dec

We had a splendid turnout of Wayfarers at Bushy Park for the last meeting of 2025. Our A group mustered 17 riders, a good number for New Year’s Eve. Especially welcome was Dave B, returning after a too-long absence due to injury.

I was fortunate in having Neil C and Dave W to lead, so we had three manageable groups on the road. Discussion among the leaders suggested that my route was a tad long for a cold day, and something swifter and more streamlined was preferable. Put to a democratic vote this was quickly agreed by all.

So we omitted the historic Graf Zeppelin landing ground at Hanworth Park, the underground artwork of Leitrim park, and left the dog walkers of Crane Park undisturbed. Instead we headed more-or-less due north for first view of the Thames at Isleworth.    

Pausing only for a breather, Syon Park was followed by the intricacies of C9 alongside Brentford High St. Crossing the Thames at Chiswick where there was ice on the road by the former Mortlake brewery, we were swiftly in Richmond Park, where the roads were clear though there was ice on the ponds. 

We returned to the Thames bank approaching Kingston, across the bridge to Hampton Court finishing at the George & Dragon in Thames Ditton, where eventually all three groups met up for lunch. The pub was welcoming, and above all warm, and the food was good and speedily served.   

Dave W writes.

It was a very chilly start and I thought the shock of setting off into the cold might distract my small but select group from the fact that I was taking liberties with Dave's official route!  No, they were too smart for that and soon cottoned on, but after a few miles we were back on track, although we did then get into a mash-up with hordes of 'B' group riders!   Nasty! Fortunately, our ways parted after Syon Park, and disaster was narrowly averted!  

It was a lovely morning to be out and about on Dave's lovely route, and we did appreciate the riverside and park scenery it took us through.    After Richmond Park I made another little deviation from the straight and narrow.    All went well until a couple of miles from lunch when Dave B suffered a puncture, which, unfortunately, proved difficult to fix!    Fortunately, Sue F was able to lead the rest of my group to lunch while I stayed with Dave to give moral support!  Dave and I did eventually get to lunch, so there was a happy ending! 

Thanks to my group for their company, and for putting up with it all!

Neil C led the third group.  Here they are!    

Postscript. I recorded just over 18 miles to lunch in 1 ½ hours with 1° temperature throughout, possibly the shortest and coldest ride of the year. But my 2 hours in the pub helped to put things right.

                            

Photos courtesy of Mike R, Andy C and a nice bloke in the G&D 

Thanks to everyone for your company, and especially Dave W and Neil C for leading their groups.

A Happy 2026 to all Wayfarers!