Sunday, August 23, 2015

Sunday August 23 2015

Dave's Ride

As we waited at the start, a continuous sea of lycra rolled past. So to avoid further embarrassment we headed into the park leaving via the pool gate. After Hanworth we passed the "Young People's Estate" Feltham then Bedfont. Our Tour de Heathrow started at Hatton Cross but was cut short when we turned towards Harlington. In Sipson we joined NCN 89 but used A408 for the final miles to Good Yarn Uxbridge aka Wetherspoons. Already arrived were Alan and Irene which made ten (Dave, Don, Ken, Paul, Tony, Graham, and Ed plus a surprise appearance from Daniel).

Among the news that he was retired Dave unveiled a plan to shorten the ride due to the dire forecast. We continued north passing but not stopping at Willowbank (no surprise - Dave's far too young to recall Cyril Davies). We eased around the Denham roundabout on the pavement before sampling the village and climbing towards Higher Denham. After roughstuff in Baker's Wood we were back on the A40 which we traversed until the Fulmer turning. Some rode through the "Genevieve" ford though most used the bridge; here Alan left us. The raindrops started as we sped down the hill into Hedgerley and with minutes the sandwich eaters had joined the rest in the White Horse.

By 1330 it was time to go but still raining hard. Gypsy Lane then several outliers (Stoke Poges, Wexham, George Green, Langley) saw us bypassing Slough itself before crossing the A4 into Colnbrook in bright sunshine. Vermeulen's cafe was empty when we arrived so we dried out slowly before dispersing around 1530. Around 50 miles door to door.

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