March 4 2007

All of Irene's rides start at "Chez Lui" so in dribs and drabs and from diverse directions 12 assembled for breakfast and a viewing of Pete M's Hilly 50 2007 DVD. The sausage eaters were: Irene, Andy, Bob, Daphne, Ed, Graham, Ian, Keith, Lisa, Pete C, Pete M and Stephanie. Most had avoided the impending rains but a mile short of Staines, Ian's rear tyre had exploded requiring a LBS visit for Ian and Ed. On the restart Bob and Stephanie headed for home; there was no escaping the rain and the route of two weeks ago was taken through Egham to Englefield Green. In the middle of the Great Park we were overtaken by a very recent Oscar winner(!?) in a Range Rover which headed off down the Long Mile. Could it be? Who knows but the registration was OXR 1. We exited by Cranbourne Gate but it was clear that we would not reach the lunch stop. After brief inspections of Crispin's and Royal Oak (meals only), once again the Duke Of Edinburgh was blessed with our company. The rains would not relent so there were no takers for tea. Back was direct and familiar: Ascot racecourse, Cheapside, Virginia Water and on to Thorpe. Just short of Chertsey Graham's front tyre exploded but his saviour (Pete C) appeared with a spare tyre. Still raining when I got home - a thoroughly miserable outing!