Sub lead Saturday all day cycle

 No matter how well you plan , tubes tyres and wheels get in the way. So with all the earnest of getting to Non such park with plenty of time to mingle and meet the team, the tyre decided to come off the wheel's rim so  a return to home was required for a change of bike arriving as usual with two minutes to spare. Quick introduction to Paul and Maggie , Debbie S , Maggie G, Nikki C, Carloyn , Mariann and Mags . That makes nine. So at the first junction debrief as we leave the gravel path at Nonsuch to meet the traffic on the A road we were ten , welcome to Katie B.Now known as the team. 

Now the team was ready to enjoy the most glorious sunshine with a forecast of 30 degrees . Wow, two days ago it was a forecast of thunderstorms.

My plan .... choose a back marker with bright colours , Debbie S had come suitably prepared but really she was the only one I knew but accepted the role gracefully. Diane P was the head poncho designing on komoot the maze of backroads avoiding busy main roads as much as possible throughout the ride. So , under the railway bridge  , through Chessington and Ewell safely to Tolworth roundabout where the route looped around towards XXXX.

A little improvisation detour at Claygate was required to get back on route . The team was unaware of the little detour around Claygate to get back on the komoot route ... At times the team can be lost without knowing it. Keep calm , chat and ride. 

The team enjoyed the Sandown/Esher gravel shortcut over the river Mole to Hersham avoiding the busy dual carriageway. So our first photo stop of four was taken by a friendly walker with the backdrop of the majestic River Mole which amazingly meanders  its way down to Box Hill. . Following the backroads of Walton on Thames , keeping to the pavement cyclepath which swung down around and under the sparklingly clean Walton on Thames bridge on our right white yachts , swans , canadian geese , appreciated by our Purley resident cyclists. Being the first group , the shaded table was commandeered , coffee drunk, water bottles refilled. At this stage the suggested 8 to 10 mph was met. And a second of four photos as the team saddled up ready for the off. 

At Weybridge , the team worked as a team. Mags' wheel came away from the frame , emergency communication required by Debbie S backmarker , Carolyn retreating to give assistance and Paul J taking the split group to a shaded spot in Addlestone. With the wheel refitted and the team reassembled continued on the average 10 mph. But the Chinese whispers came with a request to pick up the pace as the team felt they were bunching. 

On reaching the Seven Stars pub, the team had noticed the pace had picked up so a welcome break. The lunch delivery didn't live up to the number of stars in the pub's name. Maybe the salmon took longer to catch than anticipated.  

This part of the ride is hillier , greener and at Downside the gravel path through the fields provided photostop number 3 . Thumbs  by the the team , grateful to be cycling , in the sun and together.

At Stoke D'Abernon , the team split saying goodbyes to Paul and Maggie J, stopping for a cold drink . Then there were 8 . Next Mags peeling off to the train station at Leatherhead, 7 ,  Debbie S and Maggie G peeled off at 5 .  Nikki C and Katie . 3. Mariann said she had passed this way last week and was getting her body and thoughts together for the hill. How happy she was when we took the footpath 

Two riders Carolyn and Arwyn arrived at Nonsuch at 1650 just in time for a blackcurrant calippo. What more could want before a 12 mile journey home.