Fortunately, disaster was narrowly averted! But I jump ahead of myself. It would be completely wide of the mark to call it a kamikaze mission. For a start, none of us was flying a plane! Admittedly, there was a yellow weather warning for ice in force for the start of the ride, but five of us were determined to keep the flag flying (or at very least, to avoid going stir-crazy)! Midweek Wayfarers' elevenses at Cobham had been cancelled, so a small 'coalition of the willing' arranged our own alternative at Squires, Long Ditton, any onward ride from there to depend on conditions we had met on the way.
I think we had all expected trouble on the way to the meet-up. I know I cautiously pushed my bike to the end of my rather slippery road before actually starting my ride, and then studiously avoided any other road or path I thought might not have been gritted. It was a bit of an anti-climax, really, as, in the event, none of us had any trouble getting to the rendezvous. There was the odd bit of ice here and there in the side of the road, but otherwise, conditions were fine for cycling providing you were sensible, and it was a lovely, sunny morning.
Patrick, Hans and I therefore had no hesitation in setting off from elevenses on an (ahem) carefully-planned route towards Twickenham, our chosen lunch spot. It was a cooperative effort - I led as far as Richmond Park, when common sense, in the form of Hans, took over the lead. At that point our pace was seen to rise markedly, and we managed to take in the two worst climbs in the park, both of which I usually dodge! I can honestly say that we did not encounter any icy roads at all, and, by the time we reached our lunch stop, The Sussex Arms, the temperature was a balmy seven degrees centigrade according to my Garmin!
At lunch, we were joined by Simon and Paula. The pub, a new one to me, had a friendly clientele, and an excellent bargain lunch deal. I would go there again, although the service was a little slow! The main attraction for me was the cat cosily perched on the crisp boxes behind the bar! Even though it was, by now, so balmy outside, it was very hard to drag ourselves away from the cosy wood fire, but we eventually (once Paula had found my lost keys for me!) went our separate ways home.
Oh, the disaster we narrowly avoided - well, think of the consequences if there had been no club rides at all that day! Our dear editor desperately needs copy to feed the beast, and it has to come from somewhere! Thanks all for your company, and for braving the elements! And roll on spring!
Great candid shot of David W , pity it’s not the right angle for my head collection! By the way , I see on the fire place someone else is collecting heads ??
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