An Uxbridge Loiterers 7 undertook the Oliver Reed 8 – well Oliver Reed 6 on the occasion of his birthday.
Here is the write up of the ride by the organiser of the event who just could not help himself and had to include some nobby latin into it.

Morgan, the rain-wimp, turned up late at Ealing Common, clearly hoping that no other Loiterers in their right minds had made it to the start since the inclement weather had already set in for the day. Thwarted by the happy grins of Ian, Alec, Sally, Bernie, Steve the treasurer and mad-dog Hayes, they pulled their water-proofs tighter and the peloton set forth in the biting rain. It was a mistake to point out No 10 Evelyn Grove, the home of Peter Dawson the greatest Australian baritone, since it started Jim on a string of strange songs that lasted all day. Through Gunnersbury Park, under the M4 right into Carville Park ( nobby lecture # 2 ) over Kew Bridge and along the Thames path to Mortlake. A very welcome (but expensive) coffee in Orange Peko where we dripped all over their furniture. On along the Thames – under the iconic Hammersmith Bridge – past Harrods Repository ( now flats Alec said ) – into the suburbs of Putney – wiggling across main roads and suddenly the acres of Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club on our right and the huge park and lake on our left. Bit of a climb into the town/village – first OR pub the Dog & Fox – Youngs - the old Brewery Tap opposite now a Cafe Nero ( O Tempora O Mores !) – down to the Rose & Crown – along the common to the Hand in Hand and Crooked Billet – all Youngs – through the alleyway between the private school – had lunch at the OR sixth pub : the Swan. Here Alec quoted Shylock’s famous speech front the Merchant of Venice for some reason ? Excellent memory ( but then he did have to write it out 100 times !)

Checked out the Co-op almost next door – site of the King of Denmark – then across the little common to the Fox & Grapes ..... young Oliver must have been a sprinter to complete the circuit twice .... great swooping downhill run to Beverley Brook – the track alongside the stream was so rutted and pooled with mud – almost impassable but we struggled through and across Robin Hood Gate into Richmond Park – deer and dog walkers – as we slogged up to Pembroke Lodge the sky turned clear blue and the sun beamed upon us – so we stopped and stripped off our wet togs – as we neared the Star & Garter hill the weather changed on a sixpence and we were lashed with torrents of sleet and hail – bitter cold – in shock and with hypothermia imminent we free wheeled down a one way and cut up some traffic at the end to gain Richmond Bridge – an awkward sharp right onto the north Thames path – Twickenham – tea at Osterley and a great Jim Hayes route home to avoid the canal – late refreshments at Maria & Jim’s were very welcome. A major achievement in adversity.
Stu