B Group Ride - 13th September '23

After last week’s revision in hill climbing I thought it might be appreciated if we had a flatter amble through less challenging terrain. It’s been a year since we dipped our wheels into Windsor Great Park so I thought it was time for a revisit. 

Twenty-six B riders assembled a Walton-on-Thames day centre so we split into four groups led by John A, Mick A, Alan C and myself. Our initial route was along familiar roads via Weybridge, Chertsey, Lyne and then further east over Chobham Common, Valley End and Windlesham. Turning north we cycled up to Ascot eventually ending up at the quiet village of Woodend. 

The ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ proved to be a particular successful lunchtime venue. We were well accommodated and promptly served in comfortable surroundings. 

Our afternoon ride took us into Windsor Great Park where we payed homage to the late Queen’s equestrian statue erected to celebrate her golden jubilee and then the 100ft totem pole gifted to her in 1958 by the grateful province of British Columbia who had just celebrated the centenary of their foundation. 

Before leaving the park we availed ourselves of the most salubrious toilet facilities at the main entrance. Heading west we cycled via Thorpe and Chertsey to join the remaining number of fellow riders at the ‘Ferry Cafe’ at Shepperton Lock. 

Many thanks to everyone involved in making today’s ride a great success and especially to my three sub-leaders for their excellent support. 

A good day had by all !

TimG. 

Sub-leader also adds...

Mick, Dave C., Christina, Robert, Paula and Chris left Walton with good weather for September, dry and refreshingly cooler than recent rides. We followed the Thames to Chertsey and then off to a quiet Chobham Common. We looped round Windlesham and Sunningdale and then into Ascot past the racecourse. It was then through a very up market estate in North Ascot into Brookside and our lunchtime stop. 

We stat outside under cover in the garden of the Duke of Edinburgh, the staff were pleasant and the service fairly quick. 

Prizing ourselves away from the pub we were off to Windsor Great Park and Virginia Water which we nearly had to ourselves. Stopping at the totem pole, in the absence of Tim G., there was some discussion about its history; evidently it was a present to Queen Elizabeth II in 1958 from British Columbia, Canada. 

It was then back to Shepperton for tea and cake at the Ferry Coffee Shop.

MickA.