The Customer is always right; Nonsuch 1-o-clockers 14 December

Ten of us turned up for a ride at Nonsuch Park on Saturday, and Roger had walked to meet everyone and remind us he was still alive and recovering well from his pacemaker operation.  Early days, but I have not yet downloaded the App which will remotely control him so I can stop him charging past me up hills and send him to buy the coffees.  Good to see you recovering, Roger.

Despite Wednesday's experience I was game for the scheduled ride up Box Hill but there were those who, for incomprehensible reasons, don't like going up hills and I was persuaded to offer the punters an alternative.

A month ago the Hampton Court area would have offered a sensible target for a decent length ride without serious hills but as we approach the shortest day one has to think about getting there and back before the Christmas shopping traffic in the dark.  Then the light bulb came on; we have not been to L'assaggino in Kingston for ages.  Nice cafe, nice coffee, within winter range.

So that is what we did.

The slow riders discuss shortening the ride 

The faster riders consider how far they can go

Steve took those with a steeper inclination and itching for a bit more pace and I took the rest through Old Malden and New Malden to Ladderstile Gate, down the hill to Kingston Gate and thence to L'assaggino.  It turned out a decent ride, 40km door to door and an enjoyable one in weather that was mild compared with recent days and indeed nearly sunny.

Inside Ladderstile gate

We didn't have the heart to tell him there is going to be a cull tonight.