B Group - 28th January

The weather forecast was terrible: strong and gusty winds from the north west and squally showers. We assembled at The Greeno Centre, Shepperton. The usual suspects turned up, so there was no getting out of it; the ride was on.

The weather was as bad as forecast and 12 riders set off battling against the wind for the most part. We set out for Windsor going via Laleham, Staines, Wraysbury, and Datchet.  Almost at our destination, Pam sustained a puncture (that is to say Pam’s bike did) beneath the walls of Windsor Castle. None of the Royal household came out to help but we all duly arrived at The Windlesora, a J D Weatherspoons pub in William St at about 1pm.

The meals at The Windlesora were well up to JDW’s usual standard. The Wayfarers had been there before a few times previously.

After lunch the weather improved a lot (it was quite sunny even). We set off through Eton, then went back to Datchet,   then to Horton, Poyle, Stanwell Moor, Stanwell, Ashford, Charlton and Halliford where a few of us stopped for tea at the Squires Garden Centre. We had the wind at our backs and we more or less flew along the whole way from Windsor.

Finally, I am very grateful to everyone who backed up the group or did some marshalling throughout the day. Having this kind of support is essential.   

Peter Carpenter
 

Photos of the riders who made it to Tea at Squires after Peter's ride out to Windsor: