Over the Heath; Nonsuch Saturday riders to Stoke d'Abernon, 26 October

Saturday began unpromisingly, light overnight rain dissolving into damp mist.  By lunchtime it was grey and none too warm but a decent number turned up at Nonsuch Manor and despite Steve W's absence and Nigel's incapacity we had Tony and Paul to lead the long ride, and for the short one Karen had nobly stepped in to sub for Steve H.

It was great to see Nigel back, medically forbidden to ride hills but going with Karen's group down the Wandle Trail.

Tony, meanwhile, led us out of Nonsuch Park the long way round because there was a run going on and we had all had to scoot quickly along The Avenue last week to avoid the leading Park Runners, who ran quicker than we were cycling! 

The plan was for Tony to take us past the old asylums to Christ Church Road and for Paul to take over there, and we used Tony's favourite route up Mill Lane and over Chamber Mead avoiding the one-way system at Ewell.  But when the moment came for handover and Tony discovered that Paul was planning to use the long-established route through the Birds Hill estate at Oxshott, he said he would go his own way with less traffic and more countryside, so we twisted his arm to lead us all that way.

And what a pleasant route it was, over Oxshott Heath along Sandy Lane and down Fairmile Lane towards Stoke.  To add to our pleasure, the afternoon had turned out to be ideal Autumn cycling weather, so it was a happy bunch who arrived in Barberer's, surprising the lone man on duty there who suddenly had fifteen coffees to make and fifteen cakes to serve (we arrived with a few walkers).

We lingered as long as we dared against our target of getting everybody back before darkness fell, and Paul led us home past the clutch of eager autograph hunters waiting outside the Chelsea FC training ground, past Leatherhead Crematorium and Leatherhead and Ashtead Stations, and over the slightly damp Epsom Common  back to Nonsuch.

At 55 kilometres (door to door for me) it was ample for an Autumn Saturday afternoon ride, and everyone had enjoyed the different route.

Thanks to Tony, who had not really wanted to lead, and everyone for their company.