21 September - A Group from Fairoaks Airport

For the last summer ride before the autumnal equinox I thought we ought to have a longer ride. So I planned a trip to Lands End. The more well known place of that name was rather too far so I settled on the Lands End pub in Charvil near Reading.

My arrival at Fairoaks was delayed by a visitation and the need to exchange tubes at the side of the road in Esher. As I worked I kept an eye open for passing Wayfarers to carry my apologies to Fairoaks but I saw none. But beware the all-seeing eye of Strava - I now know who passed as my back was turned!

Arriving at Fairoaks just before eleven there was a goodly crowd sitting in the sun. By ten past eleven the show was on the road and we headed along familiar roads through Windlesham, Ascot, Winkfield Row and Warfield before heading onto roads new to me.

On quiet country lanes we passed north of Binfield, south of Hurst and round the edge of the new houses in the Reading suburb of Woodley to arrive at the pub just on one o'clock.

After lunch we surveyed the adjacent ford with its 15 inches of fast flowing water. No-one volunteered to try it so we settled on just a photo.

Thanks to Geoff for the photo and for backmarking

The alternative obstacle course involved a gravely carpark, narrow bridge, even narrower gap in barriers, a bumpy muddy field, lifting the bikes over a gate or stile and another bridge. But finally we were heading east again through Hurst and Shurlock Row before the five mile blast down The Drift.

Windsor Great Park, Prune Hill, Thorpe and Chertsey brought us to Dockett Eddy Lane and a quiet ride past Shepperton Lock before tea at Gino's by Walton Bridge.

Thanks to all for a good 52 mile ride with a well matched group.