Yesterday's ride was a conglomeration of ideas which was helped by talking
to Gill and riding with Irene t'other Saturday! After going over the route
last week I realised the mileage was more than B group normally do but hoped
that all would be up for it and it was great - 23 of us left Shepperton just
after 11am - well done all - thank you!
We took off through the High St., left at the lights to Laleham and there we picked up the tow-path to Llamas Park. Onwards to Wraysbury, left to Horton, where we passed A group, obviously with a problem but all appeared to be under control so we kept going. Did not wish to complicate matters, albeit we were all concerned.
After passing through Datchet we took the left towards Eton but turned right 'en-route' to the Jubilee River at a cycle sign depicting route 61. The Jubilee river was built to alleviate the flood risk to Maidenhead, Bray and Windsor but it has proved to be a failure after its opening in 2002, and it cost millions!! (Google Jubilee river if interested)!
I took advantage of a convenient drive to gather the troops and it was here that Irene told us that Bob Mc's chain had broken. His mate John, Bob S and Pete B stayed with him and they cycled to Windsor for their lunch as they did not know our route, but Irene was told to carry on! Irene also said that John B and Ken W had left us earlier.
The surface of the Jubilee is hard and no problem to cycle. The dust had lain after the previous days/nights rain- and no large puddles/pools of water! Some people were a little flummoxed by the metal up/down steps, necessary to prevent access to certain vehicles! Sorry about that! Five miles on we joined the A4 and it was a short ride to The Thames Hotel on the Cookham road.
We took off through the High St., left at the lights to Laleham and there we picked up the tow-path to Llamas Park. Onwards to Wraysbury, left to Horton, where we passed A group, obviously with a problem but all appeared to be under control so we kept going. Did not wish to complicate matters, albeit we were all concerned.
After passing through Datchet we took the left towards Eton but turned right 'en-route' to the Jubilee River at a cycle sign depicting route 61. The Jubilee river was built to alleviate the flood risk to Maidenhead, Bray and Windsor but it has proved to be a failure after its opening in 2002, and it cost millions!! (Google Jubilee river if interested)!
I took advantage of a convenient drive to gather the troops and it was here that Irene told us that Bob Mc's chain had broken. His mate John, Bob S and Pete B stayed with him and they cycled to Windsor for their lunch as they did not know our route, but Irene was told to carry on! Irene also said that John B and Ken W had left us earlier.
The surface of the Jubilee is hard and no problem to cycle. The dust had lain after the previous days/nights rain- and no large puddles/pools of water! Some people were a little flummoxed by the metal up/down steps, necessary to prevent access to certain vehicles! Sorry about that! Five miles on we joined the A4 and it was a short ride to The Thames Hotel on the Cookham road.
What incredible service and the staff were so pleasant. 23 meals to
prepare and I'm sure nobody waited longer than 20mins or so....apart from Vic as
unfortunately they got his order wrong!! The beer was very good too!!
Our return was via Bray, a short stretch along the M4 (alongside it-actually!!), on to Dorney, right towards the river at Eton Wick, and here we used the tow path towards Windsor. We left the tow path to pick up route 4 along Vansittart Road and into Windsor Great Park at Cambourne Gate. Past the long walk to exit at Bishopsgate, down Tite Hill, through Egham and Thorpe to Chertsey Bridge to reach Shepperton Lock at 4.50 for tea. WOW..we made it before 5pm!!
Whilst cycling through Thorpe I had a hunch that we would not make the lock before closing time so I asked Vic if he would go on ahead to let the ladies know we were on our way-cheers Vic. Luckily, the ladies had told us last week that they would not mind serving a group so near their closing time of 5pm.
What a day - it was great! My thanks to Irene and Gill for back marking, Carolyn for middle marking, Vic for rushing off to the lock and every body who was out and hopefully enjoyed the day, also, my thanks to Tim for maps and blogging this report.
- Cheers, Pam :)
Our return was via Bray, a short stretch along the M4 (alongside it-actually!!), on to Dorney, right towards the river at Eton Wick, and here we used the tow path towards Windsor. We left the tow path to pick up route 4 along Vansittart Road and into Windsor Great Park at Cambourne Gate. Past the long walk to exit at Bishopsgate, down Tite Hill, through Egham and Thorpe to Chertsey Bridge to reach Shepperton Lock at 4.50 for tea. WOW..we made it before 5pm!!
Whilst cycling through Thorpe I had a hunch that we would not make the lock before closing time so I asked Vic if he would go on ahead to let the ladies know we were on our way-cheers Vic. Luckily, the ladies had told us last week that they would not mind serving a group so near their closing time of 5pm.
What a day - it was great! My thanks to Irene and Gill for back marking, Carolyn for middle marking, Vic for rushing off to the lock and every body who was out and hopefully enjoyed the day, also, my thanks to Tim for maps and blogging this report.
- Cheers, Pam :)
Maps for Pam's very enjoyable ride to Maidenhead, 18.2 miles to Lunch and 22 miles to Tea:
 |
| The first and last bits |
 |
| The bit in the middle |
 | |
| Maidenhead - Dorney - Eton Wick on OS 1:25,000 |
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