From Bernard
It’s hibernation season in the Cheam and Morden cycling universe…this will last until about mid March to early April when the temperatures hopefully rise and stay in the double digits. Veteran bike watchers familiar with this species of cyclist get very excited to spot a small group of feisty C&M’s out and about at this time of year…this does happen but you have to know when and where to catch a sight of this blue and yellow creature…similar in behaviour in many respects to the common sparrow…sociable, liking to gather in small groups and particularly fond of eateries and watering holes; they have been known to exert themselves out of their warm retreats simply to congregate and chatter with each other and then go straight back to their cosy duvets and resume hibernation.
On this winter’s Sunday a local and intrepid bike watcher spotted a group of C&M’s chirping away at the Weatherspoons. Another bike watcher reported that a solitary C&M was seen in a little café opposite keeping watch on her fellow creatures. This was a novel behaviour never before observed and will be reported in ‘Bike Watchers World’…the general consensus amongst expert Bike Watchers is that this solitary creature is a true C&M but with a particular behaviour evolved over time…to what end no one is sure but it is bound to cause endless scientific debate amongst the Bike Watches community…we could be witnessing an evolutionary development in the C&M species before our very eyes but it is too early to say…watch this space.
So whilst the majority of the C&M community were doing everything and anything but cycling…but must probably indoors snuggly tucked into their duvets an errant bunch had ventured out to skit about the Surrey Hills.
So there we were…so many clothes and layers that we could hardly move our arms or legs never mind ride our bikes. But somehow we were oblivious to our plight and on our bikes we got…chirping away like our sparrow cousins. It wasn’t long before we were grinding our way up High Barn Road and burning thighs were added to freezing finger tips and toes. And if that wasn’t enough another hellish hill in the shape of Green Dene awaited us. Red kites swished above us…circling…and circling…always there…waiting!!!!
I was on paper at least leading our intrepid group but in truth this group didn’t need any leading consisting as it did of some C&M veterans…but what they gave me was the opportunity to learn to lead and gain confidence which was very generous of them. Of course Sabina was there to whisper in my ear when needed the correct direction and I don’t think anyone noticed! I had my garmin and my ride with gps which once or twice contradicted each other but luckily and ironically neither froze on this occasion. We reached the garden centre at Clandon and true to C&M nature we tucked into our food and chirped away very happily about everything and anything under the sun. The only slight hiccup encountered was on trying to exit the garden centre…just before the exit doors there was a particularly warm zone and we all stopped and remained there not wanting to venture out…but we did…eventually!
It was a flat straight home run to our café stop and end point Cobham via Hungry Hill Lane which made us all look forward to some well earned cake. We departed on our separate ways home to join the rest of our kind in slumberland and for another spell of hibernation until next time…maybe…depending on how cold it is!!!
Thanks to:
David (Ward) for the route.
Simon for back marking.
Andy, Niall, Ruth, Martina, Keith, Sabina, Maddie and Terry (joined us for lunch) and Ed (joined us for elevenses) for being such great co riders.
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| Up one of the hills |
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| Keith giving us a masterclass in hill climbing |
Author: Tartan Socks(long)
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