After a lovely Sunday morning walking around with East End with a few classmates, I headed back to the flat, grabbed my bike and overnight pack and hit the road in route for Chorleywood. I would be riding the approximately 30 miles there almost exclusively along the canal trails and Ray would be meeting me along the way. It was a bit of slow going at first due to lots of people on along the trail, especially at Camden Locks and near Little Venice. I had to walk the bike through a couple sections, but it was a nice day and the further I got from the center of the City, the fewer people I encountered and the faster I could move.

The surface of the canal trail varies from concrete blocks and pave to smooth gravel to a slightly rough dirt single track. Perfect for the ‘cross bike. I punctured along the way and realized I only had one spare tube and no patch kit, which made me very nervous for the remainder of the ride, as I also began to wonder just how far is this? Ray ended up finding me not far past the halfway point, as his end was much quicker. He turned around and led with a blistering pace, but only after again making a preemptive apology for being “old and slow.” Luckily, I have had proper training to know to ignore these kinds of comments. Not too much further and flat tire #2. Ray had a patch kit, so I fixed it, pumped it up, pulled off the pump, and with it came the valve stem. That would be flat tire #3 of the day, with me feeling like a rank amateur for not having been better prepared. We arrived at Jean’s at 5:30pm for tea and cake, which hit the spot, as I was starving by this time! Margaret and Ray returned for dinner a bit later and the four of us enjoyed an excellent three-course dinner including one of Shannon’s favorite dishes, homemade cobbler, a cheese plate and two different wines to go with the excellent conversation. Jean and I gabbed a bit more after Ray and Margaret left and before heading to bed.

--- some pictures taken a few days earlier along the canal around Regent's Park ---

--- there are even pubs conveniently located along the canal too... ---