A’s October 28th - Ace Café & Harrow-on-the-Hill

It’s that time of year again when we have to think about getting everyone home before dark. In our favour this Wednesday it was half term so quieter roads than usual, and a big bonus was the weather, dry and even sometimes sunny.

We have not recently visited the Ace Café, first introduced to us under the leadership of Frank Cubis, whose untimely death was 10 years ago. Nor had we recently been to Harrow-on-the-Hill, pioneered as a destination by Hans and Mike R. For this ride I “borrowed” (actually, copied) the route used by Neil C in October 2021 so I knew it would work, subject to recce.

Working backwards from a planned 3.30 tea stop at Richmond Bridge, meant leaving Elleray Hall around 10.30, with an early lunch at the Ace around 12.00, where I hoped for speedy service to send us on our way promptly.

This plan defied all conventional wisdom, leaving the longest distance and most of the climbing to the afternoon, but on the day it worked. Apparently undeterred by this breach of custom, we had 15 riders, so two groups, and I was fortunate to have Neil C to lead a group (and to take me round on the recce).

My group (Graham K, Patrick, Neil W, Sue C, Andy and Guy) left first, with Neil’s group (Clive, Gina, Simon, Jennie, Dave E and Karl) shortly after. The morning went smoothly with occasional pauses for sightseeing atop bridges, including the canal aqueduct over the North Circular.

 

The Ace Café, which seemingly never changes, welcomed us and served us promptly, and there were even a couple of us who chose to lunch outside in the sun. Before we left I was asked by the manager when we would return, which was nice to hear. We departed on time for the challenging bit of the day. 

     

 

The route took us up Horsenden Hill and Harrow Hill, climbing the latter via Music Hill or Garlands Lane, depending on whether you preferred steps to speed bumps and pave. Unfortunately en route one of us suffered a broken chain and had to go home by train.

Lord Byron’s viewpoint is now compromised by trees, but some of us did our bit to get full value from the climbing effort, though we failed to spot the gleaming spires of Basingstoke as promised on the viewpoint plaque.    

 

From here it was largely downhill to the Grand Union Canal for 3 miles of towpath to Southall. The towpath is a mixed blessing; it gets you a long way without interruption or traffic, but it does get boring, and occasionally bumpy. Thereafter we took familiar roads back to Richmond Bridge. Neil’s group arrived first, and mine just after 3pm.

Thanks to Neil C for leading his group, Neil W for back marking my group, always visible in his Sou’Wester jersey, and all for your ever-cheerful company.