Thursday, August 12, 2010

A Group Aug 11th

A Team Wednesday 11th August Frank

The prognoses for a well led “A” run got off to a bad start, getting lost trying to find New Haw day centre. But ”hay” is that the group ahead from North Cheam equally lost.
Arriving at the Day Centre at 11-00 it was a quick cup of tea and away by 11-30 only to find Grant had a puncture, not wishing for any further delay he agreed we should carry on after confirming our lunch venue.
That left 11 of us, Jeff, Tony’D, Mike, Pete B, Bob, Phil, Geoffrey, Dave, Mark & John. Within the first mile I turned into a private road that led into a residential caravan park, with a u turn and friendly comments from the residents we were on our way to Ottershaw and Foxhills Road then Accommodation Road, a left and right at Longcross Road over the M3 and West of Virginia Water to pass Prune Hill on our right to the A30. Straight over into Englefield Green, a clockwise loop through Egham Wick, past Savill Gardens, Bishops Gate and down Crimp Hill to the Fox & Castle at Old Windsor. Here Pete, Bob & Phil made there own way back.
Although I did let the landlord know before hand of our visit, we were lucky that just after ordering our meals a group of 20 from the Uxbridge Loiterers arrived.
But meals were served very quickly indeed, and by then Grant had arrived.
Then I had a problem. From lunch to tea at The Walled Garden in Sunbury traditionally ends up in a burn up, how do I control this unruly lot ? answer. A constant 17.4 mph ride through Runnymede, Staines, Laleham, Shepperton, Halliford to Sunbury, and success, all arrived together. From there members made their own way home. For me 63 miles total, and no problems leading a competent group of riders.

1 comment:

mike morley said...

Frank, what a coinsidence, I too did 63 miles door to door on my fat tyred MTB and it was great zipping along at 17.4mph through Runnymede following such a superb and balanced Bike Rider with such a smooth pedal action and no rocking from side to side wasting energy. The sign of a good fixie!