What a splendid night!
Firstly thanks for all that came and rode, a group that naaturally flowed along the road in good spirits.
Oxford station was unusually undramatic, the toilets worked and people were generally milling around with intent to catch trains. The departure from Oxford via the Cowley road was mellifluous despite *ahem* an enthusiastic jumping of a red ..... It was coming to the end of the Cowley road that I thought I spied the first flashes in the sky.
Out on the road proper towards Horsepath the flashes became more obvious and they were loitering in the general direction of travel.
Wheatley reigned supreme for wildlife this night, broken glass being swept from the road before us and a woman who left the outside the pub to run alongside me for a chat (soon followed by a possible suitor). Now for a girl who didn't run for a hobby and was not gifted with a long stride, she fair shifted and in her mildy narcoleptic state managed a pretty coherent discussion over 100m of Wheatley high street about what we were doing this time of night etc, etc.
Thame dissapointed, it just did ... even the kebab wagon had packed by the time we arrived around 1:30. But enough of wildlife for now. Prior to arrival in Thame the heavens they did open and the lightning did flash mightily. As the stair-rods ensued I spied a suitable hedge to dive under to liberate some waterproofs. As soon as they were donned, the rain stopped and we then reversed the donning process immediately without leaving (the admittedly crap shelter of the hedge I'd chosen). Around Thame the roads were wet, but we only suffered one other short-sharp shower where we manned-up and took it like .... well, like er .... men.
As prescribed, we met Moltonaught as we exited Thame and headed onwards to Chinnor hill, which was a grind as usual. Strangely silent though, no Badgers and absolutely no dogs barking .... spookey.
High Wycombe caused a moment of brief panic when it seems one of our number in a moment of joyous bonhomie did alarm a local resident who verily did come amongst us spoiling for a fight. How he didn't get run over I shall never know.
Beaconsfield services provided sustenance.
Then onwards to Londinium via the winding and gravel strewn single tracks of Welders lane et al. By this time the big light switch in the sky had been activated and the world looked a different place. Due to the time of year it was notably lighter earlier and with an early morning fog was quite magical in places.
The sharp bend was flooded, the terminal moraine all but washed away.
Another of our number managed to lose a nut somewhere around The Chalfonts. The nut and associated bolt or pin being the one that held his brake lever in place .... this being a single-speed with only one brake (naughty) was a tad worrysome. However, the truly capable Kim leapt into action with bolts, nuts and tools to make a 'proper-job'. Every ride in the night, in the middle of sleeping nowhere needs a resourceful Kim in it's midst.
The final leg into London past the Jurek bus shelter and other landmarks of note passed gently and unremarkably. Having some new to this route could also chuckle at 'Fine Bush Lane' and Ladygate road being in close proximity.
Paolos was attained and humongous brekkies consumed heartily by all.
A good night out, good company, lots of giggles and some spectacular aif a little scary heavenly fireworks. We needn't have worried, had one of us been struck by lightening .... Kim would have fixed us up with the contents of her saddle-bag.
Cheers Y'all. Time for a kip.