A Group April 18th

“A” ride report by Frank Cubis

Leaving the Eileen Tozer Centre at Addlestone at 11-25 the ride was advertised as being possibly a little brisk, but 16 riders took up the challenge in warm sunshine with Gerrards Cross as the destination. They were, Graham, Pam, Jen, Vic, Frank H, Steve, Rob, Pete, Bob, Grant, John, Nigel, Ray, Ed, and Steve Hillier making his first ride with the Midweekers. Taking the direct route to Chertsey Bridge we turned left along Thames Side to Laleham and to Staines Town then along More Lane passing under the A30 then north along the cycle path by the M25 to Stanwell. We crossed the M25 via the roundabout at junction 14 with ease, into Poyle and Colnbrook to cross the A4 at Brands Hill, we crossed the Slough arm of the Grand Union canal with long boats moored as far as could be seen, into South Bucks. It was a left and right at Shreding Green, straight over the Uxbridge/Slough road past Pinewood Film Studios and crossed the Alder Bourne ford near Fulmer (only about an inch of water) along Hawkswood Lane and up the only hill of the ride, but still tuff, to lunch at The French Horn pub opposite Gerrards Cross Common. They had no problem with our numbers, eating outside in the garden, food was good and reasonably priced.

Dragging them away from lunch we rode south, through the village of Fulmer and Wexham, past Wexham Hospital to cross the Bath Road just slightly east of Slough town centre riding towards Datchet, we crossed the level crossing at Datchet Station and rode East of Home Park to Old Windsor, it was along this stretch towards Runnymede that Pam was our lead out man with the whole group strung out in single file hanging on to Staines. We had tea in the precinct at Staines at the Bakers Oven, and still in sunshine sat outside. From there we made our individual ways home. It was a pleasure to lead a group of professional midweekers.

Frank