Sunday 18th February 2007

Compared to the Hilly 50, a rather smaller number, 5 to be precise (Graham, Ann, Ed, Keith and Steve) assembled on Kingston Bridge. There we were entertained by Keith's twice attempted puncture repair before setting off through Bushey Park emerging at its NW corner in Hampton Hill. The railway bridge at the end of Prior Road was closed requiring a retreat to the level crossing by Hampton station. We dropped down to Lower Sunbury Road and from there to the Orangery. There to greet us were Andy, Bob and Irene and after a while Richard put in an appearance. Past film studios and Laleham, we sped joining the tow path to Staines. Delayed at both level crossings in Egham, Tite Hill was tackled before entering Windsor Great Park at Bishopsgate. With time in hand, a left turn after the village meant the behorsed ER2 and an exit at Cheapside. One more climb ended with a left turn into Lovel Lane and another to Woodside and the busy Duke of Edinburgh where Pete and Liza joined us. After lunch we explored a not too muddy Hodge Lane before sampling Ascot racecourse and passing through Cheapside. Here we turned right and reentered the park at Blacknest. We skirted south of Smith's Lawn before mingling with the crowds near Savill Gardens. Englefield Green and Virginia Water pointed us beside M3, M25 and Great Cockcrow railway to tea at Tesco's Addlestone and a parting of the ways. Around 50 miles on a dry mild and cloudy day.