A Group Ride 26 August 2015

When I first recce’d a route from Weybridge to the Jack O’Newbery at Binfield in early August I envisioned an idyllic late summer day in the sun. As the date approached and the weather forecasts worsened I shortened the route to make it more wind and rain proof.

In the event no amount of rain proofing would have been enough on Wednesday. However the Weybridge-7 were highly motivated to take on anything that the Met Office severe weather warning could throw at us.

All went well if rather damply until Ascot Racecourse where without the benefit of trees to shelter us from wind and rain we were treated to a deluge of Biblical scale. Regrouping on the other side of the racecourse I was surprised that there were neither mutineers nor volunteers for an early train back from Ascot. Spirits remained surprisingly high as we battled the last few miles towards lunch. The final approach to the pub down a quiet lane was thwarted when the lane was found to be hosting a raging torrent.

Lunch with good local beer were speedily served by friendly staff who had our best interests at heart by recommending a comfortable return by train from Bracknell station 3 miles away.

Unmoved by such temptation six of us elected to ride back, this time with the aid of a tailwind and slowly improving weather, though impeded around Thorpe by some flooded roads. Tea at Upper Halliford Squires was followed by a ride home in the sun for most.

We welcomed new Wayfarers Dave and David. Thanks to Simon and Paul who shared the back-marking, and to everyone for staying out in such challenging conditions. See Paul’s map for the route.

43 miles Weybridge to tea at around 12.25 mph with hardly any climbing; beats the Dolomites in the sun.

When I recce'd the route I recall seeing a warning that the road was subject to flood, but I needed to be sure.