A Group - 19 November

On a unexpectedly sunny autumnal day fifteen fine gentleman lined up outside the Day Centre in Weybridge to see what awaited them.

We headed off towards Addlestone but as soon as we were over the level crossing at Addlestone Station we turned left to take Crockford Park Road and Liberty Lane up to the foot/cycle bridge over the M25. Hare Hill brought us back down to Ottershaw.

Fox Hills Road and Stonehill Road led us to the wonderfully named Gracious Pond Road. Through Burrowhill we reached Steep Hill. The road sign worried some but we were soon passing Chobham Place Wood and taking the straight fast road to Sunningdale. A few back roads then took us to Blacknest Gate into Windsor Great Park.

We often cycle straight through the park on the way to somewhere else. But today I thought we would meander around and visit a few of the other areas. Our prompt departure from Weybridge meant that there was time for the full planned route.

Starting along the south bank of Virginia Water we passed the Roman ruins ( brought back from Leptis Magna, Libya in 1816 ), the cascade and the totem pole ( from British Columbia ). Next it was the polo grounds of Smith's Lawn, the Royal School and on to see The Queen, as promised. In this case the Jubilee Statue of her on horseback.

Through The Village we headed for Bishopsgate and shortly afterwards we arrived at our lunch venue -The Barley Mow, Englefield Green.

Here we were welcomed, fed promptly with good food, and on our way in little more than an hour.

Past Royal Holloway College, down Prune Hill, over the M25 and we were making good progress towards our tea stop. However we then had a visit from the fairy and a " how many cyclists does it take to mend a p*******? " moment. Things were promptly sorted and a route via the back and the front of Thorpe Park took us to Chertsey.

We were heading for Walton but a turn down Dockett Eddy Lane led us the quiet route alongside the Thames to Church Road,Shepperton, Walton Lane and Walton Bridge.

Tea, scrummy cake and scones were taken at The Riverhouse Barn by ten before onward journeys home.

Thanks are due to Geoff and Rob for duties at the back, the weather, the autumn colours, and all the riders for a great day out.

(About 24 miles to lunch and 12 miles more to tea.)