11th March -The A Ride From Addlestone.

I had hoped for a prompt departure from Addlestone but this was more difficult than usual as the Day Centre had requested that we didn't meet there due to virus concerns. Some of the riders were in Tesco, some were in Costa and some were milling around looking for the public loos.

Messengers were dispatched to gather the troops, the A's were sorted from the B's, and finally fourteen of us were underway.

We headed off towards St Peter's Hospital and through the park to reach Stonehill Road. Then crossed the M3 at Longcross and headed through Windlesham before turning north through Ascot and on to the lanes around Jealott's Hill.

My plan was to reach the Drift Road and be blown eastwards with a tailwind towards lunch. Unfortunately the wind wasn't quite as forecast and was much more of a crosswind. (Sorry you all missed out on the three miles at 21mph I did on the recce - it was great fun!) However from here it was all downhill to Fifield and over the Thames on the wooden bridge to Dorney, where we lunched at The Palmer Arms.

28 miles to lunch, and 18 after.

The pub was very busy when we arrived but we were seated and served promptly. The food arrived amazingly quickly and was good quality.  We were on are way again in about an hour, pausing only for Janice to take a photo of us all in the sunshine in the garden.

After lunch at The Palm-er Arms

The route to tea took us through Eton, Datchet, Staines and Laleham before following the Thames to Chertsey and Shepperton Lock and then on to Squires at Upper Halliford.

Some of the group pushed on for home but nine of us stayed for tea and cake. It was well over an hour before we all left but I was still home before it got dark. It seems like spring is on the way.

Thanks to Mike R for backmarking and for everyone for keeping the ride moving efficiently.