A Ride – 20 February

18 left Teddington and headed North but on the outskirts of Teddington the puncture fairy struck Helena with a rear wheel puncture, the wheel was not QR(quick release) and try as they might the brawn of Wayfarers males could not budge the nuts. Poor Helena had to abandon and catch the train home, through Whitton, Hounslow and just before Osterley Park we had another visit from the PF , this time Graham H was the victim and his second puncture of the day! Now with no spare tube Graham also decided to head home. On to Norwood Green and the outskirts of Hayes down Nestle Avenue ans past the London motor Museum with it's replica of Del boy's Reliant.

At this point having stopped twice for punctures and with time now against us I shortened the route by missing a loop of Botwell lane and Botwell common and headed into Stockley park and onto a short off road path, we crossed a sandy section (slowly) and my back wheel dug in and over I went, just my pride was bruised. Also at this point Marks saddle stem decided to slide down into the seat post so another delay to rectify the problem only for it to happen again 100 metres further on!

On past Hillingdon hospital, Brunel University and the edge of Uxbridge and into Iver lane to Iver and a left turn into Thorney lane North where a cut though led us to Old Slade lane and across the M4, Colnbrook and Horton for lunch at the 5 Bells at about 1.40pm.

I had cycled to the pub Friday and booked lunch for the group but when we arrived part of the pub was being decorated and an irate (not with us) landlady had to phone franticly for assistance as she was alone with no chef! She did rise to the challenge and took orders and gave us our drinks but we did have a little wait for food but which was good when it arrived.

After lunch we headed East and the pace did raise a tad with a few heading homeward, through Poyle, Stanwell Moor, Stanwell, Ashford and to Squires at Upper Haliford to tea after which the group went their separate ways, I followed Ed to Hampton where I turned for home. A very cold but Sunny day...