The day started badly! When I went to the garage to get my bike the back tyre was flat. I started to change it - long enough to get greasy - and then decided it might make me late so I took my "shopping" bike instead. There was a good number at North Cheam, enough to need two groups, and all was well to Shepperton. Off we went to Windsor Great Park. We being Angie, Christine, Ed, Gill, John, Judy, Les, Liz, Mick, Norman, Phil, Roger, Stephanie and yours truly.I had apologised at coffee time that it was rather a short ride. We set off along the B376 to Laleham and Staines, across Staines Bridge and along to Egham. Then Fate took a hand and we we went the long way to Windsor Great Park. That is up to Wraysbury, Datchet, back across Albert bridge to the Fox and Hounds at Bishop's Gate entrance to the Park. Phil got lost somewhere along the way!
The lunch was pretty good, field mushrooms with palma ham and melted cheese was a popular choice. A few yards after lunch John's rear tyre punctured. Four punctures on consecutive rides - John wants to know if this is a record.While waiting I provided a cabaret by attempting to ride Ed's recliner and falling into a puddle. Down to Virginia Water along the Rhododendron ride, past the Obelisk, the Totem Pole, the Cascade and the Roman Temple (original). I had expected to be able to get out of the park at the South East corner but we had to go the Blacknest Gate which added about three miles. But the quid pro quo was a lovely ride along the lake.
Then through Wentworth Golf club (fortunately we didn't see the "private" sign on the way in). It really is wonderfully cared for. Another little detour (against John's advice) took us down Tramps Mill Lane which deteriorated into a muddy track and a zig-zag mountain ascent up to the road across the M3. We lost Ed at this point! On to Chertsey and Shepperton, By now the time was getting on so we skipped tea and retraced our steps back. 56 miles from North Cheam.
Regards Bernard
The lunch was pretty good, field mushrooms with palma ham and melted cheese was a popular choice. A few yards after lunch John's rear tyre punctured. Four punctures on consecutive rides - John wants to know if this is a record.While waiting I provided a cabaret by attempting to ride Ed's recliner and falling into a puddle. Down to Virginia Water along the Rhododendron ride, past the Obelisk, the Totem Pole, the Cascade and the Roman Temple (original). I had expected to be able to get out of the park at the South East corner but we had to go the Blacknest Gate which added about three miles. But the quid pro quo was a lovely ride along the lake.
Then through Wentworth Golf club (fortunately we didn't see the "private" sign on the way in). It really is wonderfully cared for. Another little detour (against John's advice) took us down Tramps Mill Lane which deteriorated into a muddy track and a zig-zag mountain ascent up to the road across the M3. We lost Ed at this point! On to Chertsey and Shepperton, By now the time was getting on so we skipped tea and retraced our steps back. 56 miles from North Cheam.
Regards Bernard
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