Guest reviewer"The Conjuress" is back with her poison keyboard to review the Loiterer jaunt to the Ride London event. Two groups met up in Hyde Park, Sally, Alec and Laurie having rode from Uxbridge with a vain attempt to join a group of Brentford cyclists on the way. The remainder of the group thought that having to ride 100 miles through the Surrey countryside would be enough for the day so caught the train up to London. Imagine Clive’s disappointment when he realised we had the wrong day and we were only going to complete the free ride around London. Riding through Hyde Park people were out taking exercise, walking, cycling running and circuit training. Gerry, whilst distracted by one very heavenly body in particular, almost saw more ‘stars’ when she missed a lamppost by cms. The London circuit was busy but it was a privilege to ride around closed roads and have time to appreciate the architecture of London and soak in the atmosphere. It was also good to see the next generation (or 2 for us) of cyclists out enjoying the day. A re-muster in Hyde Park for a loo break, where Peter made a failed attempt to get into the Ladies, before preparing to rely on the Laurie Nav home. Welcome chocolate supplies were provided by Lesley. Riding through quiet roads in Kensington and Chelsea we saw how the ‘other half’ live whilst winding our way through Brompton Cemetery. Peter felt quite at home there (I was quite excited) but he followed us through Hurlingham and onto Fulham. For a moment I thought we might be south of the river (has the Laurie Nav failed?) when we passed crowds wearing Crystal Palace shirts, but as we passed Craven Cottage found that Fulham had a home game. The group were getting very thirsty and hungry by now as we rode along the embankment passing pub, after pub, after pub, after pub………. Arriving at last at the lunch destination we found it closed. Never mind, one just around the corner. Didn’t do food. Never mind, onwards we went through Chiswick House gardens to Strand on the Green. We had a great lunch, which was followed by pudding. Sally, who was sitting opposite Alec, who had earlier shown his affection by falling at her feet, must have been dreaming about Harry, judging by the sounds she was making whilst eating her sticky toffee pudding roulade - with extra ice cream donated by Peter. (He wouldn’t do that for me). At 5 minute warning I went to the loo where I met Peter coming back from the Ladies, AGAIN. Do I need to be worried? We woke everyone up and turned the Laurie Nav back on homeward bound. A great ride through another cemetery (really excited now), over Hounslow Heath (tantalisingly close to Osterley Park, skirting it by a mile) and back to Northala Fields for a cuppa. Alec by this time was ‘self harming’ and again fell at Sally’s feet, even more spectacularly this time. Gasps and almost screams could be heard from onlookers who looked quite puzzled as Alec explained he was a stunt man. (Rhyming slang). It was a struggle to wake Clive and Jane, who were now fast asleep in each other’s arms, for dispersal home. Thank you to the Laurie Nav, TFL, The Bulls Head and all ten riders for a great company and a great day out. Quote of the day goes to John Jenkins. “I wasn’t sure what fruit I was getting in my Kentish Bramley Apple pie”. Ann