Hailstones

Midweek ride to Addlestone

Wednesday 13th May. Well it seems the ‘April showers’ arrived a month late, or at least it felt like it, & not just Rain, 1 prolonged Hail shower, 1 more brief Hail shower. With 3 late cancellations, 10 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd, Thames Ditton – joined by 2 more (12)-, Giggshill Green, Weston Green, Esher, Walton, Weybridge, Brooklands Park, West Byfleet, New Haw, Rowtown, to Addlestone for lunch at the Pelican, -just in time to avoid a couple of really heavy downpours-, Victory Park (Photo), Chertsey Meads, Chertsey Bridge, Shepperton, Haliford, to Sunbury for refreshments at the Walled Garden, Hampton, Bushy Park- even a roll of Thunder, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Lindsay for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1868983

Victory Park, Addlestone: Lindsay

2 part ride to Molesey & Twickenham

IMG_1160

Summer Rd footbridge

Sunday 17th March, (St Patricks day), Part 1, a largely Sunny Morning saw 18, no wait 1 more has joined so 19 Cyclists left via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Surbiton, Long Ditton, Hinchley Wood, Esher Park, Esher, to Molesey, -some people must have had Skates on as we were to early-, but the ‘Bell’ did soon open the doors for a very enjoyable lunch, then Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd & track to Kingston. Sub total 14 Miles, thanks to Steve F for back marking duties, & others for marking corners.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/785609

IMG_1161

Kneller gardens after Hail/Snow storm

Part 2, with heavier Clouds, and a brief flurry of Hailstones, -was this a portent of things to come-, 3 Fresh faces & Farewell to 7, so 15 Cyclists left via Skerne Rd, Aerospace Estate, Ham, Ham gate of Richmond Park, to Petersham gate, Richmond, Richmond Bridge, Ducks Walk, St Margerets, Islesworth, Whitton, to Kneller Gardens, Twickenham for Tea & Bread pudding, suddenly we were hit with a very intense was it Hailstones, or was it very small ‘Snowballs’, perhaps a mix of Hail & Snow, -luckily there was just enough room to shelter from the worst of it-, continuing via Fulwell, with another very heavy Hailstorm, this time with nowhere to Shelter until it was too late, 😦 Teddington, Hampton Wick & Kingston Bridge. Sub total 12 Miles, Total for the day 27 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Chris for Back marking, & others for marking corners, thanks to Derek, for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/786020