A Team Wednesday 22nd May

Teddington - Maple Cross - Richmond

After lunch, with arteries as well greased as chains.

15 A riders left Teddington Day Centre sharp, and with me leading it was no surprise we were heading slightly west of north on our way to lunch at Maple Cross, Rickmonsworth.

Looks as though Paul was first

Coronary Care, anyone?

It was the usual route through Feltham, Stanwell, Poyle and Colnbrook, then heading dead north via Iver Heath past Pinewood film studios and dropping down to Fulmer, navigating the ford that appeared in the film Genevieve  but unlike Kenneth Moore our vehicles didn’t stall and get stuck; then the climb to Gerrards Cross and again the plunge down to Chalfont St. Peter. From here it was up Joiners Lane and the very narrow and twisty West Hyde Lane to the A412 and left along Old Uxbridge Road to Maple Cross for lunch at Duran’s Café (greasy spoon) at really give away prices.

After a hearty lunch and the obligatory photo shoot, we continued on to Rickmonsworth turning right into Spingwell Lane to climb up to Harefield and to Swakelleys junction on the A40. Using the excellent cycle path on the south side of the A40, we passed RAF Northolt on our left and the 4 huge earth mounds on our right, which is now a nature reserve under which is the old Wembley Stadium. Then on to Greenford, Hanwell, Brentford, Syon Park and along the tow path to Richmond to have tea at the café under Richmond Bridge.

46 miles from Teddington to tea at an average speed around 14mph. My total was 62miles but am sure others logged more.

It was a pleasure to lead such a professional group of riders.

Frank C