B Group 17 February

This morning we avoided the usual confusion of a mixture of A & B riders all waiting for the call to be off, by leaving after the As.  Much easier for the leader and it gave us a clear run from the start.  There were 19 of us (including 3 cycling friends of Peter Tiller - Maggie & Bob Waller, John Morris).  With rain having been forecast for later in the day, we were pinning our hopes on a dry ride, especially since this particular one had had to be aborted back in August when the heavens opened just as we arrived at Virginia Water Lake!  Thankfully, all went well this time and we actually reached the planned pub for lunch, the Rose & Crown at Woodside.  Our route took us out through Addlestone, Lyne, Virginia Water to the Lake.  Here, even on a grey day, there were many families out with children in this Half-Term week.  In fact the rhododendron bushes by the side of the path beside the lake were 'alive with children' playing in them!  We came out at Blacknest Gate and continued, mostly uphill, on the road, arriving at the pub at approx. 12.45p.m.  There were three people behind the bar to take our orders and lunch was finished well within the hour.

Alas, it was just starting to rain when we came out of the pub!  Oh well, nothing for it - just cycle home in the rain by the most direct route, namely through Windsor Great Park, down Tite Hill, through Egham, to Staines, along the towpath to Laleham and so to Shepperton.  By now we had dropped off one or two people (Peter T. had had a puncture) and the general consensus of those remaining was to head on home and not bother with a tea stop - apart from Dave & Jane who expressed a wish to go to Cafe Mocha at the traffic lights in Shepperton, so Ed and I joined them.  Thanks to Terry for being Back-marker.  (Gill Finlay)