B Group - 13th April

The Leader

On such a lovely sunny morning, it was perhaps not surprising that we still had a total of 22 riders in the B Group, despite some of our regular members being elsewhere on the Hostel Trip.  (Welcome to new rider Gareth Williams.)  We may not have set off at the proposed 11 a.m. sharp, but Jeff's exhortations on my behalf had been seen and noted, and we weren't too much later.  Our destination for lunch was Eton Wick and this report could well be entitled 'The Two Rivers' Ride'  as our route followed the Thames and the Jubilee Rivers for much of the way.  We picked up the Thames at Chertsey Bridge and cycled beside it until past Staines Bridge at Lammas Park.  Here we took to the road and passed through Wraysbury and Datchet before heading off towards Eton and the Jubilee River path.  This path requires mental as well as physical agility on a bike as one negotiates the frequent metal barriers requiring feet and pedals to be in just the right position if you wish to sail through without stopping!  I'm sure practice makes perfect.  Turning away from the river, we took a path which led us into Eton Wick by the back door and to the Greyhound Pub by 12.45 p.m.

A general idea of food orders had been taken before our departure and the pub advised of such so that they could do some preparation.  There was a little confusion when it came to ordering but overall everyone seemed happy with what they had and it was very pleasant sitting out in the sunshine, so much so that it was hard to get some people moving again!  It was  after 2.00 p.m. when we set off, heading back to the River Thames and following the Thames Path into Eton.  From here it was straight up the hill (our only hill!) into Windsor, past the Castle, and on to the cycle path which took us across The Long Walk to Old Windsor.  It was now the familiar route across Runnymede to Egham where we got caught at the level crossing and picked up Mike Morley who had been to Windsor to support a friend.  After Staines it was a straight run on the road through Laleham to Shepperton.  A few headed home at the traffic lights while the remainder went on to the Walled Garden for tea, just in time, as they are currently closing at 4.00 p.m. due to staff shortages, with last orders at 3.45 p.m. - please note.  Thanks to John Austen for being Back Marker and Tony Hooker for marking corners.

Gill Finlay

Thank you to Liz B for the photos