Sunday April 13 2014

A fine sunny day produced a fine crop of riders at Kingston Bridge - thirteen in all! Bushy Park, the Feltham wheat belt, Ashford and Stanwell got us to a rendezvous with Irene and Pam in the middle of Colnbrook. The fun and games had already started - Tony (puncture in Poyle), Chris (slow puncture), and Andy (AWOL). As special treats I tossed in the Lakeside Road Incinerator and off-road sections  of NCN 61. Most (including the missing Andy) were in the cafe overlooking the lake but 11s for four stragglers was at the other (and unknown to me) cafe in Black Park.

The restart was protracted as the four had to be rounded up whilst others stood transfixed by the manoeuvrings of model boats on the lake. Roads still showed signs of the recent floods but what really caught the eye were the innumerable potholes. Near to Fulmer and near to Hedgerley got us to Littleworth Common (nearly). But instead of right then left I went left then right meaning a long descent was followed by a long ascent up the same hill albeit on different roads. Nevertheless we were at The Jolly Woodman before one. Taking the landlady's advice we removed our bikes from the garden to the car park. It didn't deter us from sampling the menu.

To avoid a repeat of last week's ride we headed for Taplow but not before dispatching Chris towards Burnham (he'd finally given up on his slow puncture). Our numbers were further diminished as Vic and Jeff left for differing reasons. The Olympic rowing lake (for anyone who'd never been there), Eton Wick, Horton and Poyle led us to tea at North's of Staines. To my surprise all three runaways turned up so only Tony missed for family reasons. About 60 (plus 2 extra) miles door to door. 

PS Due to the incompetence of  Virgin Media, I've been unable to update the website for the last two weeks. I'm on my fifth round of communication! 

Author: RaasayWarden