On a day when the Banstead Alps were shrouded in thick snow, only nine A Group riders--Ed S, Pete B, Pete M, Irene, Vic, Graham, Ray, John B and Julian--set off from Weybridge aiming for Windsor. Ed punctured alongside the A317 but the rest of us crossed Chertsey Bridge and followed the tow-path past Penton Hook to Staines where we crossed the bridge and followed the towpath under the M25 to Bell Weir Lock where Ray took pictures.
The going had been muddy in places with occasional patches of soggy snow but no serious problems. We joined the road past Runnymede and, deciding that a detour through the Great Park might be pushing our luck, took the route through Old Windsor and Datchet (where Pete B punctured and the sky started to show some blue) turned up past the Castle and one of the Wetherspoons down the pedestrianised Peascod Street into William Street and the other Wetherspoons. Here Ed and Pete rejoined us and, after rearranging our bikes to the satisfaction of the management, we all enjoyed the Wetherspoon specialities of good, prompt, cheap food and drink and sound-off telly.
Coming back, we went through Eton and followed the B376 threading past reservoirs to the bakery at Shepperton where Ed, Vic and Julian joined B Group for tea while others made straight for home. In all it was an enjoyable Winter ride, chilly but no biting wind, soaking rain or slippery ice, getting indoors before needing lights...........Julian
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