Ride Report - Sunday 6th April

Sunday's ride to Dorney Court was well attended, with 17 cyclists arriving at The Pheasantry in Bushy Park for elevenses. Perhaps it was the sunshine, the slightly-but-thankfully reduced ENE wind or a seldom-used venue which brought out the masses, or perhaps the promise of a largely flat ride? 

I can see very few blog post entries referring to Dorney Court - the last one seems to be Sept 2020 - so perhaps that's why it appeared on the list of rides to be led last November, except that it was even windier on that day with Storm Bert spoiling the plans. With hindsight, we needed the extra hours of daylight to fully enjoy more of the lanes which loop around Windsor.    

David W had very helpfully pre-arranged to sub-lead, so we were able to split into 2 perfectly-formed groups of 8, with Sue not coming any further. 

"Stand still while I count you".....

I led the first group out through Lower Sunbury, Ashford and Stanwell, where the decision to go over or under (the M25) had to be made! The track was fine enough to cycle but it wasn't clear from the road how many interesting characters might be playing down there - in my group just Paul wanted to see what we were talking about so Simon boldly led him through, while I believe the second group all went under. No mishaps reported and Pam even had an apology from one chap who realised he had passed her a bit too closely!  

Gradually the traffic lessened as we came through Horton and Datchet, after which we followed the Jubilee River Way for the last 3 miles completely traffic-free as it delivered us almost straight to the Crocus Garden Centre where we had a reservation. It was a good lunch and served quite quickly, once we established who to order from. 

Jennie gets the giggles beside the Jubilee River

As David W had not stopped for lunch, and Graham and Keith were making their own way back, we were down to 13 cyclists. Simon kindly offered to take over the sub-lead role and we otherwise kept the groups intact. It was definitely warmer now as we tackled some gentle ups around Fifield and Winkfield, and through the Windsor Great Park which was its usual quiet and glorious self between Cranbourne Gate and Bishop's Gate. Finally, following a route Pam had once shown us to avoid Egham, we came through Chertsey and onto The Ferry at Shepperton, where - is this a first?! - everyone stopped for tea! 

Group 2 after it had reformed!   

Thanks to David W and Simon for sub-leading and to Jennie, Lilian and David J for back-marking. Photo credits to Sue, Simon and Pam. 

Author: Diane