A Group. 18 November. Weybridge to Moss End.

After a week of windy weather today was no exception, but the forecast I saw said only an outside chance of a light shower.

Seventeen of us left Weybridge and headed west into the wind knowing that all the effort of the morning would be repaid with a tailwind home. I suggested that the convention of not getting in front of the leader could be relaxed if anyone wanted to ride in front of me. But no one took me up on the offer.

Addlestone, Row Town and Ottershaw took us to an unusually quiet Stonehill Road, before Gracious Pond Road, Burrowhill and Woodlands Road took us over the M3 to Windlesham.

Next a right turn to pass the mini-palaces in Westwood Road before a quick blast down the A30 with the wind behind before turning left and heading for Ascot. Here Hans left us with some story of having a meeting to go to but I now know his weather forecasting skills are better than mine.

We passed the racecourse grandstand and then turned right towards North Ascot. Unfortunately here John was unseated by a careless and inattentive driver. Although shaken up, after details were exchanged and minor repairs to man and bike, John was able to limp on to lunch.

Winkfield Manor, Winkfield Row and Warfield were passed on our way to lunch at The Shepherd's House, Moss End. Here service was prompt and friendly with a wide range of dishes chosen from their extensive menu.

With the wind behind we were hoping for a more pleasant afternoon but soon it started to drizzle. A wrong turn in Maiden's Green had us executing a quick U-turn  to bring us to Cranbourne, the peanut roundabout and into Windsor Great Park. By now the rain was falling heavily and a decision was taken to head for the Savill Gardens Cafe for tea and shelter.

Some had lost all faith in my forecasting and pressed on for home but ten stopped for tea. Simon demonstated just how wet he was by leaving a large puddle on the floor while the rest of us discussed the nearest stations, whether it was worth putting on waterproofs over soaking jerseys and how long we would need to wait to dry out.

Finally the rain abated and we left, but by now it was getting dark so the rest of the ride was just about getting home through the increasingly busy traffic. Englefield Green and Prune Hill had us heading for Staines Bridge before Shepperton, Upper Halliford (our intended tea stop),Lower Sunbury and Hampton with people peeling off for home all along the way.

Thanks to Simon for backmarking all day.

I promise to try and make my next ride a dry one.