A Group Ride from Weybridge 8th June.

Today's ride was a ride of two halves: hot and sultry from Elevenses to lunch, and suddenly cooler at tea when the heavens opened and we witnessed a downpour of biblical proportions. Those who stayed for tea kept dry in the deluge. As they say timing is everything!

Sixteen of us cycled through Addlestone; Ottershaw; Wentworth; up Callow Hill - the only modest climb of the day; Englefield Green; Old Windsor and Datchet. Picking-up the SUSTRANS Route 61- The Jubilee River and Slough Linear Park, we joined a fun-run through Ditton Park, before skirting Slough at Langley, and onto Love Green and Iver. From here it was over the London borough boundary from South Bucks to the Malt Shovel on the Grand Union Canal.

The urban fringe part of the ride was through the hotch-potch of London's Green Belt, peaceful at times when away from the roar of the M4 and M25 Motorways, but lacking in any character. (Robert Macfarlane in his book 'Landmarks' calls it "Bastard Countryside"). And there were stinging nettles!

We retraced our route through Iver, and followed familiar roads through Colnbrook, Horton, and Wraysbury between and around the Reservoirs to Staines, Laleham and onto Shepperton with tea at Squires, Lower Haliford.

 The rain came quicker - and sooner, than anticipated, but as you can see the (sun) umbrella kept us largely dry.

Thanks to Geoff, photographer and back marker, and also Colin.

It was a day of contrasting landscapes and routes, but as often happens the weather was the big talking-point at the end of the day!