B Group - 15th May (+ Map)

The hardest part about yesterday's ride was battling the headwinds to get to New Haw!  Well, apart from a few hills, that is!  Luckily, by going northwards on the ride we avoided the worst of the wind and even had some tailwinds in the afternoon.  The weather was with us, too.  Apart from a few spots of rain now and then, and some heavier drops as we arrived at the pub for lunch, the cloudy skies of the morning gradually brightened to sunshine after lunch.

Our destination was the Rose and Crown at Woodside.  A group of about 16+ set off but we lost a few on the way and ended up with 14 at lunchtime.  The Row Town hill was the first challenge and right at the start of the ride!  Sorry folks!  Thereafter it was undulating as we made our way to Virginia Water via Ottershaw, Accommodation Road, Trumps Green Road - where John Scott punctured and some overshot the turn into Wellington Avenue but were brought back into the fold by temporary backmarker, Carolyn - and so to Virginia Water.  We left the park at Blacknest Gate, on to Mill Lane and northwards on the Sunninghill Road, skirting Windsor Great Park.  With several hills on this stretch, it was a relief to cut across to Woodside and to the pub.  The puncture party of John, Robin and Pam amazingly arrived just behind us!

The Rose and Crown gave us a very warm welcome.  It is run by the Fielder family, with husband and wife responsible for the food.  The menu comprises sandwiches and light bites, as well as meals, and everyone seemed happy with what they had ordered.  As we departed, our hosts kindly took the obligatory group photograph and we were asked to come again next week!

Our return route was via Windsor Great Park to Bishopsgate, down Tite Hill to Egham, past Great Fosters to Thorpe Green, through parks in Chertsey and back to my place in Sunbury for Afternoon Tea - with the second puncture party of Tim and Pam, following on.  It may not have been a brilliantly sunny day but with everywhere looking so fresh and green, it was a pleasure to be out.  Thanks to Pam for being backmarker and to Carolyn for being assistant backmarker.

- Gill




























From the New Haw DC to The Rose and Crown in Woodside for lunch was13.7 miles, and the afternoon leg back to Sunbury for a very enjoyable Afternoon Tea with Gill was 16 miles.