A Group Ride from Walton on Thames to Cock Marsh, 11th September.

 Today's ride had a River Thames theme. From elevenses on the Thames at Walton Marina, to the riverside lunch at the quirky Bounty pub at Cock Marsh, and then tea at Nauticalia, all our stops were alongside the River. For many, it was a first visit to the pub with no road access, but a select few* of today's Wayfarers had ridden there, either in 2012 or 2015 or both. (Coincidentally the last visit was also characterised by downpours on the way home, as well a strong tail wind blowing riders along the wide open plain of Eton Wick!). 

In all, we crossed or re-crossed the Thames nine times on the 50 mile ride. (As well as bridges, there's obviously many locks on the Thames: we lunched one mile upstream from Cookham Lock, and the 23 miles of the meandering Thames downstream to Shepperton Lock contains 10 locks - but mostly unseen by us on our 22mile ride to tea). 

Seventeen signed-up for the ride, with Dave Ellis on his first sub-lead. This is what he had to say about leading his group.

Our group were the first away from the cafe at Walton Marina - Dave Ferret, Paula, Gill, and Frances  - (who changed places with Geoffrey), who would meet us at the lunch stop. We made good progress through Chertsey and Lyne, and then had a wait at Egham railway crossing for a couple of trains. We said goodbye to Frances in Windsor Great Park, and met the other groups at the exit of the Park.

We arrived at the Bounty pub in Cock Marsh at the same time as the other

groups. After refuelling on toasted sarnies, we then ground our way back up

Hedsor Hill, and back on familiar roads to Windsor where we lost Geoffrey to

the station, as the first rain started.

Gill and Paula headed home at Shepperton , while Dave F and I caught up

with the other groups at the Ferry Boat, as the rain swept in.

Thanks to Ged for the route and Gill for back marking.     

There is a blue horse somewhere!

Watching Andy’s flashing red light!

Peter led the last, pacy group, with Janice sensibly sheltering from the wind by back-marking. Apart from a navigating blip mentioned below, Peter safely delivered three of his riders to tea. 

My group of six, like others, battered a strong headwind in unusually cool conditions for early September. (My Garmin read 9 degrees, feels like 6!). After the Park we caught-up with Peter and Andy returning from a gravel processing plant at Monkey Island Lane, with Janice, Dave and Patrick from his group nowhere to be seen!

Bridging the Thames to the Bounty.

The Bounty was much quieter than our recce ride two week’s earlier - when it was still summertime, but most braved the conditions and sat outside. We tackled the Hedsor Road climb trying to keep together, and nearing Wraysbury donned rain jackets as the predicted rain duly arrived at 3pm. Eleven from the three groups stayed for tea at Nauticalia. We delayed our departure as the heaviest rainfall of the afternoon passed through, and I’m sure many caught showers again before reaching home.

The batty Bounty.

A nice pint from the nearby Marlow Brewery.

You've been framed!

Thanks to Steve Duffin for capably back-marking my group. 

In case it's another nine years before the Wayfarers visit the batty Bounty again, here's the route for a future leader:- https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/301312894

* Ged, Brian, Janice and Dave Vine.