Report of the A Group Ride on 18 May.

Sorry for the delay in reporting, a lot has been happening. And now my memories of the ride are fading but here's what I do remember.

• The weather gods smiled on us and it was a warm and sunny day. 
• Despite half a dozen of our usual riders being away in foreign parts we still mustered nineteen for the ride.
• Walton Day Centre was full of happy cyclists, inside and out, just like the before-times.
• I set off first with Dave and Jennie J, Sue F, Paula, Gill H and Alan. And we were the best group, riding at the best speed and having the best possible time.
• Summerleaze bridge over the Thames was even more rickety than usual and there were signs to say it will be closed this week for maintenance. We walked over taking in the view.
• The Pineapple was busier than on my recce but we were happy sitting in the sun/shade (according to preference) and drinking until the sandwiches arrived. They are smaller than they used to be but still more than enough for most hungry cyclists.
• After lunch a random stranger took our photo.
  

• We then headed off on a direct route to join the Thames at Laleham and on to afternoon tea at Shepperton Lock. Here we sat in the sun again, drank tea and ate cake, and agreed we had had a great day out.

Thanks to Dave for the back-marking and to all for the fine company.

Willing volunteer Dave W led the second group and his report has been sitting in my inbox since Thursday. Here it is.

It was a lovely day and we had an excellent ride.    Despite my best efforts to shake them off Dave F, Geoff G, Frances, John B and Nigel clung to me like limpets, before and after lunch, and we made steady progress.    I even tried to lose them by taking them the wrong way on Ascot racecourse but Geoff was wise to that!    

Approaching Windlesham we sighted Neil's group ahead.   One highly competitive member of my group was overcome by the thrill of the chase,  but in the end we gave Neil a sporting chance to get his group away only to re-catch them at Fifield.    

The Pineapple was a jolly good choice for lunch and the sandwiches were still very good value despite the absence of chips or soup. 

We had a fast ride back to tea in glorious sunshine despite a bit of a headwind to end a lovely day out. Thanks all for your company and many thanks to Geoff for back-marking all day.

Always eager Steve D led the third group and here is his report (which has been keeping Dave's report company since last week).

My group of Janice, Andy, Steve W, Dave B and Ged set off from Walton at 10.55 am. We were missing Hans due to pressure of home chores which was disappointing. 

Nevertheless the route was a fast one and relatively flat. So we found ourselves quickly overtaking the first two groups. The only incident was a small collision at a junction where I failed to call 'stopping' and stopped. Andy clipped me and his chain came off which proved difficult to replace. 

It was a pleasant time to be out in sunshine and the Summerleaze bridge provided a lovely view of the Thames a flood plane below.

The Pineapple did us proud. Delicious sandwiches and drinks at a reasonable price. I had a 'sheep dip' which was lamb with mint mayo. 

Soon the call of the open road beckoned once more and we struggled out of the sunny pub garden to re-mount our bikes. This time we rode into a small head wind, which wore down my tired legs. Janice kindly helped by riding ahead of me and setting a slightly faster pace. So it only took 65 minutes to arrive at Nauticalia near Shepperton.

Thanks go to Neil for a fine route and to Ged for tirelessly back marking. Finally thanks to my group for helping out with navigation at Dorney and their pleasant company.