Ride Report - Sunday 5 October 2025

 

We gathered at The Ferry Cafe in Shepperton, sitting outside for our start at 11.00 hrs, enjoying the refreshments until we set off.

Around the Chertsey Bridge area, Andy was so unlucky to be stung in his mouth by a wasp, and his face soon started to swell up. He said he wanted to carry on until he could get to a chemist, so we proceeded past Virginia Water and into Windsor Great Park. A fine Sunday had brought out a lot of walkers as well as other cyclists who were taking part in the Palace to Palace ride, still we negotiated them all and exited the park and took Crimp Hill down to Old Windsor.

We then went along to Datchet and into the town itself. Lunch was at The King and Castle, Andy joined us after he had visited the chemist for some antihistamine tablets, suitably refreshed we took the traditional route back through Staines to the marina at Walton Bridge where we ended the ride, sitting in the sunshine soaking up the last rays of the sun with the good news that Andy’s lips were visibly improving.

Thanks everyone for your company to make a great day.

Jennie 

(No close-up shots of the wounded Andy as this would lack taste and decorum! - Ed)

Plans for Sunday 5 October 2025

We will meet at The Ferry Coffee Shop in Shepperton (as published) and we then be riding to Windsor where lunch will be at The King and Castle - JD Wetherspoons (change from published venue). We will then ride back to the cafe at The Marina, Walton on Thames, for tea.

Should the weather gods be against us, the tail of the hurricane still being around, we can amend our plans before we set off.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Sunday 28th September 2025

Ride Statistics

11's - 51 Degrees North, Mickleham - 12 cyclists (9 go on to lunch).

Noisy, barely able to hear conversations....but good coffee.

Not easy to get to unless you come over the top (Headley) - 4 cyclists.

Lunch - Tesco's Extra Gatwick (Hookwood).

Screen ordering system as at Macky Dees.

Most popular choice - macaroni cheese (2).

Tea - Mickleham Church

First visit ever.

Smaller selection of cakes compared with Capel but my lemon drizzle was lovely & just £1 !

Last opening this year but from April 2026 - September 2026 - last Sunday in the month, 3pm - 5pm.

We'll be back!

Weather

Drull & deary, with patchy light rain pm but with zero wind.

Photo editing by https://www.canva.com/features/photo-straightener/ & Windows Photos.

Custom made, washable, waterproof, fabric OS maps splash-maps.com

Route provided by cycle.travel & plotaroute.com

Flat - 78%

Downhill - 12%

Uphill - 10%

Penny Farthing (Ordinary) Racing

21st September

A slightly chilly and gusty day, 11'S at the Pheasanrty, which was busy as usual, a few were already seated with the usual banter. Numbers gradually swelled to 9. 11.00 am arrived, so loo's visited, we departed. Graham headed directly home, just was we were about to leave Brian Bent  arrived and cycled with us just to the exit of Bushy Park. 

A rather direct route so we could lunch early to get to the track, We quickly got to Hanworth park and the track across, arriving at Feltham station and then across Glebelands playing fields and side roads to Gladstone Ave which once was the home of Freddie Mercury, and has the Blue Plaque. Obviously a stop for photo's. 

More back roads and a few alley's bought us to the A30 at Hatton Cross and into Heathrow using the cycle path where possible, and out to Harlington and the under pass for the M4, now only a short ride to the really busy Hayes, some tried the cycle path along side the main road, but that only wore out their bell trying to get through the throng.

The Botwell Inn (Spoons) soon came into view, The pub has railings around the outside seating area, making it ideal for bike parking, the Sun now out, we all sat outside. Service was quick and we were all soon tucking into our misconceived lunch. After lunch Dave W made hi own way home.

We were soon off on the short distance, about 2k, to the track. There were plenty of spectators and some racing had already taken place on  uni cycles. There were lots of Penny Farthing bikes to peruse, and some riders had made the effort to dress in semi period dress. Tea, coffee and a few snacks were available and as the afternoon wore on and the cold wind picked up, most of us took advantage of a hot bevy.

Then the racing started the speeds were amazing and the field soon spread out,  the course is a touch under a mile in length. We watched the 2 main races and after had a cycle round the track.

We set off back on a short route mainly on cycle tracks alongside the Parkway before crossing Hounslow Heath and onto tea at the caravan by the Shot Tower on the Crane river trail. Only a few stopped for tea, and cake. I was only a short ride home for me from there and I left the remaining group at the exit be the A316.

A thoroughly enjoyable day, thank you all for joining the ride and to Simon for bringing up the rear and Andy for the group photo.

Tony..

Bike Jumble

Sunday the 21st September

 A trip to Hayes cycle circuit to watch the Ordinaries (Penny Farthings) race.

Highly exciting event, they are amazingly fast, more than one race.

11’s the Pheasantry, Bushy Park

Lunch at the Botwell Inn, Hayes

Tea to be decided on the day

Tony..

14 Sept - Nonsuch Ride

It was to be a carefree adventure in the wild Wolds of Sussex and Kent.  But it was not to be.  Shakespeare would probably have put it more eloquently, but even if he was blessed in the language department, he didn't have a bike, so there.

The weather forecast said heavy rain and 30-40mph wind, so plan B said a more local ride.

Naturally, on the day, we woke up to calm, blue skies.  Despite the lack of ride ambition, twelve came to elevenses, eleven set off on the ride, and ten reached the summit at Walton on the Hill, Terry having diverted to Headley and Helen having come to 11s for a chat, and possibly out of curiosity.

Down with the kids at Nork Park
(Chris having a go on the track too)

That's English and Maths covered, now for Geography, History and Domestic Science: 

Tadworth and Banstead completed the climbing bit of the ride and then it was downhill to Sutton, and following a route suggested by Eric, we found the back streets to Nonsuch Mansion, which had an open day in the servants' quarters.   By now the weather had a hint of rain but no actual rain fell until around 2.30, when some had already visited the exhibition and the rest of us were about halfway round a fascinating insight into how "downstairs" worked in these large Victorian mansions.   

Mischief in the 'dry pantry'

The amazing model of Nonsuch Palace,
which, as everyone except me knew,
is different from Nonsuch Mansion.
(the last 2 photos from Niall)

By the time we set off for home, it was raining lightly but no Arks were needed, so I think we got off lightly.   And I confess, when I got home, I waited a bit until everyone would be safely home and then did a little rain dance, in the hope of a downpour to justify cancelling the trip to Tunbridge Wells.

Many thanks to all of you who joined us for your company, and to Andy for suggesting that we make use of a rainy afternoon to get to know Nonsuch Mansion a bit better - and for back marking.    I hope to reschedule the Tunbridge Wells trip for a dry day next summer.

Would it fit on my bicycle?

For weather enthusiasts ...

Actual rainfall .. wet but no deluge

Actual wind .. rather modest

vs. forecast wind