Olympic Route + plus diversions

What a bloody marvellous day for a ride, (tan lines to prove it!).  The original planned group of 5 was chipped down to 3 and our departure plan was somewhat delayed.

Nevertheless a departure to Thames Ditton to pick up Dave and then we were on our way, on the route through WoT and towards the Surrey Hills.  Alas the route is titled Olympic Route + Diversions because even with the benefit of the Garmin I still took a few wrong turns.... My marvellous sense of direction!
The first wrong turn was one junction too soon down the Pyrford Road rather than the B367, very scenic but definitely too narrow for the Olympic Peleton.
Back on the Route and approaching Ripley, riding past the abandoned Newark Priory was great and it would make a great backdrop for the TV Cameras and give the commentators something to talk about.
Through Ripley, West Horsley and East Clandon, we hit the first 'climb' a mere bagatelle for the Pros but Staple lane felt like a long drag.
The A25 into Dorking was refreshing after the effort of Staple Lane, after Dorking there is the the Dorking Cock at the A24 Junction, I'm intrigued to hear what the race commentators will have to say about that.

Up to Box and it was nowhere near to my Box Hill Challenge time but the ice cream and coke at the top was much needed.

Dave & Ed

After Box the Olympic Route doesn't follow a ridiculously narrow lane decorated in horse manure... but ours did, another wrong turn on my part.  Back on the route we rolled through Leatherhead, Oxshott and Esher before heading back towards Hampton Court.  Thanks to Ed for convincing me to cross over the river rather than abandon after the Surrey Hills.  We headed up through Kingston and into Richmond Park before my sense of direction took the lead again, taking us out of the park one gate too soon.  Once over Putney Bridge it was a straight line to Buckingham Palace and the Mall.

A quick photo stop and back to down the Kings Road, over Putney Bridge and then into Richmond Park at the correct gate this time.

Once back in the Park the end was in site and we were able to pick up the pace.
All in all a great ride, I'm happy with the time (5:54:52) and our average pace (15.5mph) but I can't help worry about my efforts on the hills, and trying to maintain the sustained efforts for the Alps.