Well, that was a grand ride.
I wasn't at all sure who would be there, and thought it might be just CofG and me.
I watched the world's worst buskers at Trafalgar Square till first Mice, then User10571, then CofG (late

), then........no one else arrived.
Off we rode, down The Mall. Big mistake. It's all messed up for Her Man's do.
But we got to Embankment and marvelled at the massive crowd of cylists sweeping past in front of us.
We joined the flow, and, barring a couple of punishment passes, the ride was smooth.
I realised that the person at the front didn't know the way through to Putney Bridge. So I took the lead for a while.
Then, rather than take my usual cut through back streets, we went zipping along Lower Richmond Road, which had been resurfaced (for us? How kind!).
Into the Park, and we pulled into the cafe car park to reassemble. But we set off the other way, and split up after Richmond Gate. I stopped at Ham Gate to call Butterfly, and CofG and Mice decided to go up the middle road. This left me the last to go over the hill.
On the way back to Roehampton Gate, I was passed by a couple of the Dynamo, who then slowed down in front of me. I naturally held their wheel, but it was a while before they noticed. Then I overtook them to turn into the car park.
There were an awful lot of Dynamo in the Park, so it's not surprising we saw some really poor or annoying behaviour, but the majority were fine.
When I rolled in at last, folk were ready to go to the pub. I established that Butterfly was at the other gate. We rode across to the pub, where we were served by the world's slowest barman.
But that didn't matter. We had a lovely evening to enjoy as we sipped our tea, Pimms, and cider.
Then back through the park in the darkening light, seeing many deer, including a dark grey faun.
We had said goodbye and thanks to CofG as we entered the park, and escorted Mice across, before heading over past the ballet school on the way home.
This is when I like Richmond Park best - when the cars are shut out, and the bikes can ride in peace.
The last 15km are not terribly inspiring, but we've ridden it so often that it becomes a natural rhythm as it twists and turns.
We encountered several examples of unexpectedly good driving, which was reassuring after the punishment passes of Embankment and the unobservant idiot on the South Circular who needed words from User10571 before he woke up.
Home. Nearly 60km from leaving work. My legs know they've done a ride, and it's more than time for bed and sleep.
A good ride. A great idea. Marvellous company. Thank you all.