When first it appeared in print, I feared that this might be a ride too far. But a glorious spring has come early this year so my concerns were unjustified.
It was frosty as we huddled on Kingston Bridge but we soon warmed up due to my deceased speedo. The route was circuitous taking us through Thames Ditton, Walton, Weybridge and Virginia Water. We entered Windsor Great Park near the Wheatsheaf (A30) - a novel approach to Savill Gardens but taken at a crawl as many of the many visitors had not mastered the "keep left" principle. By now our number was 13 but only a select band of eight headed back across the park to Cheapside. After Ascot racecourse we rode west along the B3034 into Binfield. Of the two CAMRA pubs, the Victoria Arms got a cursory look and we settled for the Jack O'Newbury(no bar snacks). Here we sunbathed in the gardens; most nibbling discretely food brought from home. Later we were joined by Lisa.
The return was more direct taking in favourite lanes through Moss End, Nuptown, and Maiden's Green before the long haul up to the Park, where again we met up with the awkward brigade. After a swift descent of Tite Hill, tea was taken on the terrace of North's of Staines before dispersing. Another (minor) tumble whilst looking backwards suggests that I should leave such antics to Janus. Nearly 60 miles but home before 5 on a day perfect for cycling.
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