A Group - 12 September from Fairoaks

With many regular riders away enjoying themselves, just eight (fool)hardy souls joined me at Fairoaks for a late summer trip towards Henley. My aim was to try and find some new quiet routes to replace the well trodden paths.

Left out of the aerodrome and first left gave us a calmer route to Chobham, through West End and round the south of Windlesham to Ascot. Then a new route through the houses, a bit of off-road, a quick break and on to Winkfield Row. Next Warfield, Shurlock Row, Waltham St Lawrence and Hare Hatch.

From here a quick two and a half mile blast down the A4 would have brought us to lunch. But where is the fun in that? Instead we circled Wargrave and headed for Crazies Hill before turning south through Warren Row and Knowl Hill to approach Littlewick Green across the fields.

The thirty miles we had travelled meant it was nearly half past one before we arrived at The Cricketers for a well earned lunch. As we had phoned through our orders the food was very promptly served and we were on our way again in around an hour.

Which way shall we go home?

The route back was more traditional - White Waltham, Maiden's Green, Winkfield Manor and across Ascot racecourse before a little bit more off-road and then a long wait at the level crossing in Sunningdale.

Then over Chobham Common and Gracious Pond Road before back to Addlestone for tea and wonderful cake at the Bread and Roses Café.

Fifty four miles for the day but unfortunately no map due to Garmin malfunction.