Frank was not well enough to lead yesterday's ride, so he asked me to lead. I had twenty minutes to
panic prepare. The destination was set as Harmondsworth, and with the help of David Vine and a map, I quickly came up with a pretty direct route that would have got us there about quarter to twelve. Luckily Graham Hill had a better idea and so he offered to lead. It was destined to be a fairly urban route but Graham managed to stitch together an impressively flowing ride, taking in Bushy Park, Hampton Hill and Hampton; over the A316 on the spiral bridge; up to Ashford and Stanwell, then across to Colnbrook and back around to Harmondsworth.
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| Photo: English Heritage/Boris Baggs |
Good food at reasonable prices was provided at the Crown; served strictly in the same sequence as orders were taken. We had plenty of time and some did a 50 yard detour to visit the
Tithe Barn which "ranks alongside the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey for its architectural merit". Then a rural ride back through the green fields and villages of Sipson and Harlington on the site of Heathrow's proposed third runway, before skirting through Heston to reach Osterley Park with its bicycle-eating speed trenches. Through Isleworth and back along the river to Twickenham en route to Bushy Park, where we met the B group for tea.
Thankyou to Graham for leading in the morning, to David Vine for cartographic services and to Steve Lloyd for back marking in the afternoon. And we hope you get well soon Frank!
1 comment:
Thanks for the post, Simon. However in the interests of historical accuracy, the afternoon back marking was most diligently performed by Steve. I was just lingering at the back of the group.
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