A Group 23 May, 2012

New Haw - Bourne End - Shepperton

With just 28 days (four Wednesday rides) left before the summer solstice, I felt that we should make the most of daylight. With New Haw as the starting point, direction of travel oriented neatly to the North West, not often explored by Wayfarers and, as Paul has warned, still being cleared of dragons. This may explain the caution that reduced the crusading “A”s to a scouting party of nine + leader. There might of course be other factors.

A blazing sun was ideal for dragon hunting as we cantered via Row Town past Addlestonemoor cemetery and the chance to shoulder bikes over the railway line. We avoided some Chertsey traffic by following the peaceful banks of the Bourne before spinning along familiar roads to Egham and Runnymede. Here the offer of a comfort stop provided an irresistible, if sensible, place for Brian to suffer his first puncture in 5,000 miles, and give the group an excuse for some idle sunbathing. Within less than two miles of remount it was dismount for puncture number two, with Paul falling victim to the treacherously smooth, hard, hot tarmac. These Marathons just aren’t used to it! While Paul worked, some supervised and the rest absorbed more sun and my carefully if tightly timed programme inexorably unravelled.

With rubber vulcanised, it was heads down for them thar’ hills via Windsor, Dorney, Taplow (should we stop here?) and the indiscrete bowers of Cliveden to reach Bourne End Station. Once again we shouldered arms to cross the Thames and walk beside the river bank to our destination, the Bounty, blissfully inaccessible by motorcars, though motor boats are welcome. One o’clock was long forgotten, but still time for food and drink – even draught ginger beer.

Lunch was unhurried, which meant our departure was nearer 3pm than 2pm. We left Bourne End via Harvest Hill, to follow the Chiltern Way for a while. Unfortunately, not everybody had the same idea, which built in a little more delay, but charity prevailed! With head and headstrong tail briefly reunited, we meandered through some peaceful Buckinghamshire lanes and tracks to Hedgerley and the chance to climb Hedgerley Hill, which we had descended the previous week with Paul. Then it was Fulmar and Alderbourne – film buffs will know or remember the locations used by Pinewood Studios in the 1953 film, Genevieve. Before my time, I’m afraid! After Pinewood it was helter-skelter due South via Shredding Green to Poyle, and another separation of head and tail. The prospect of tea in Walton had by now completely evaporated, so we stopped at Vermeulens Garden Centre – alas too late. We improvised with a vending m/c in the aquatic centre. The last leg was via Ashford, Charlton and the spiral bridge to Shepperton. Some branched off at Stanwell and the rest at Shepperton.

I imagine there is some pretty awful punishment for a leader who deprives the group of afternoon tea and cake. I cry ‘I have sinned’ and await my fate with resignation. But still, dust off your torches – the days will soon start getting shorter!

Jeff