Shorter Ride - July 10th

[Snoop Doug]

Don't panic folks - this is not a takeover bid

I quite fancy a pootle out to box hill via little switzerland, stop for a coffee in Walton then drop back towards Coulsdon Purley etc.

I'll be on my stealth tank complete with pannier rack. I have no idea what this baby maxes out at, but it ain't much. If anyone (apart from Ian P - apparently he's not very nice, and he doesn't like Conor ) cares to join me for a shorter ride - well it would be a pleasure to have your company.

CSS at 09.00 (yes really) I'll be gone by 09.10.

Cheers - Snoop. Huffin and puffin my way to glory

[higg]

Sounds just right for me, still recovering from a cold now but should be good for something easy on Saturday.

Aodan.

[Snoop Doug]

Perfect Aodan - see you then

[Amy]

What about my ride??? Doesn't that deserve a mention

[Snoop Doug]

OK - I am planning to do this on road/lanes. I have my road tyres on the mtb and I'm really not sure I can be arsed to change them

So my plan was to go from CSS out chipstead kingswood walton. Right midway through Walton bimble about over to Little Switzerland. Swoop along there then up the hairpins. Carry on through box hill village, past Pfizer turn left into Walton. Stop in village for coffee n bacon - then head for home.

Doing it this way I reckon I can be back chez moi around 12ish without pushing it.

The last ride I did with you marco, and Aodan was fantastic, and it damn nearly killed me (soo unfit). I couldn't handle another four hour epic just yet dude.

If my suggestion puts folk off I won't be in the least offended if I end up solo, just thought I should make my plans v clear that is all

Cheers - Snoop

[Grahame]

I'll see how many VCs turn up on Saturday, and if there's enough to cover the "standard" groups, then I'd love to come out for a little tour de Suisse followed by bacon butties and coffee with you Cap'n Snoop.

[ceejay]

Only having an MTB, I'd normally fear being left behind on a road ride, but this time I fancy my chances of keeping up with Snoop's "stealth tank complete with pannier rack". See you there - my train arrives dead on 0900 and I'll just need a minute to get over the bridge to meet up.

Colin

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="ceejay"]Only having an MTB, I'd normally fear being left behind on a road ride, but this time I fancy my chances of keeping up with Snoop's "stealth tank complete with pannier rack". See you there - my train arrives dead on 0900 and I'll just need a minute to get over the bridge to meet up.

Colin

[Roy Green]

Sounds like my sort of ride/time out, Snoop. See you at CSS at 9. (Would love to come on your voyages of discovery, Amy, but think they're way too fast and long for me! ).

[Snoop Doug]

Nice one Roy, this will be a nice ride, hopefully with enough shady bits so we don't completely wilt. I've just been out in the garden - it's roastin!

[Snoop Doug]

9 o'clock my ar5e!

Talking of my ar5e, it musta gotta tad heavier, I broke a spoke hence my late arrival at 09.05

Roy's running repairs soon had the offending break tidied away and once Grahame fixed his slow puncture we set off.

Marco, Aodan, Grahame, Roy, Colin, Lucy and I were joined just before Walton by Rachel (hope I got all the spellings right?). Had a lovely swoopy ride out to the bottom of the zigzags and we all huffed n puffed our way to the top where marco had laid on a mini milk party. Yeah!!

We were briefly united with a very swish looking Mike Ingram, complete with snazzy shirt, exquisite bike and some interesting looking gravel n dirt (don't like to ask too many questions).

Hoofed on back to Walton for bacon sarnies, juices, teas n cakes in the shade by the pond. Lovely. We split up shortly after that and made our own sweet ways home.

Cheers folks, extremely enjoyable ride.

[higg]

The slower pace today suited me well recovering from a cold and also gave me a chance to take a few photos on the fly.

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Alternative cafe stop, Cafe Chocolat at Walton, Thanks Snoop.
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3 of us took a short cut home
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[Roy Green]

Hearty thanks to Snoop for getting this amiable group together, leading us, and then standing bacon sarnies and drinks all round at Walton-on-the-Hill. He says it's to celebrate his new work contract with Guide Dogs for the Blind. Congratulations, they're lucky to get you, Snoop. Ta to Marco too for the mini milk ices at Box Hill, too. Must do more riding in the 'Little Switzerland' area, great narrow lanes (but mind the horses!).