B Group - 26th August

Given the weather forecast for the day, it was not surprising that the number turning up for elevenses today at Weybridge was much smaller than normal, and of those who did, it was an even smaller number who actually went out on the rides!  It was good to see John Gould, brought along by his friend Roger Sceats so that he could catch up with us.  Roger said he was finally about to retire properly and hoped to be coming out again on Wednesdays.

It was already after 11.15 a.m., raining, the As had gone and with no-one else likely to turn up, that the six stalwarts (Steph, Ed, Vic, Robin, Ray and Tim) set out with me (Gill) on the planned B ride.  Lunch was to be at The Rose & Crown at Woodside, the other side of Windsor Great Park and we headed out through Addlestone and Lyne to Virginia Water.  As we reached the Lake, the heavens opened and the rain turned into a deluge!  By a stroke of good luck we were just outside The Wheatsheaf, so a quick decision was made to stop here for lunch.  It was after all 'lunchtime', being almost 12.30 p.m. by then, even if we had only covered about 8 miles.  Fortunately the pub staff were welcoming, despite our rather sodden state, and as the rain continued to fall heavily and there was even a clap of thunder, we were happy with our decision.  In fact, we extended our stay with puds (apple pie & treacle tart) and coffee, only leaving when we thought the rain had stopped!

It was the calm after the storm now, with gigantic puddles everywhere and not a ripple on Virginia Water.  We started in light rain but gradually this eased off.  Taking the path leading to the totem pole, we climbed up to the Savill Gardens' Visitor Centre, passing a group of walkers similarly kitted out for the wet weather - we were not the only mad ones to be out on such a wet day!  Then it was out on to the road and round to Englefield Green for the speedy descent down Tite Hill into Egham.  Here the road round the shopping centre was awash!  Most of us took to the path for a bit of extra height out of the water, with Vic doing a cunning loop back into the High Street and joining us on the other side.  This was becoming quite exciting!  However, our luck ran out for the two level crossings on our route into Staines and this was after getting caught at Addlestone as well in the morning!  Skies now began to clear and the sun even came out as we pedalled down the towpath to Laleham and on into Shepperton where we saw three A Group riders swoop down the High Street while we waited at the lights.  Six of us stopped for tea at the Mocha D Café and with the sun continuing to shine, all agreed it had been a good day.  Thanks to everyone for coming and to Tim for volunteering to be back-marker!
 
~ Gill Finlay
 

Map for Gill's route to The Wheatsheaf in Virginia Water (8.3 miles) then to Shepperton for Tea (10.9). Gill's weather was very sub-standard during the morning but came right in the end.

Gill's route to The Wheatsheaf

Stephanie's photos, at Virginia Water and in downtown Egham