Exactly six hundred years on we happy few fits but not we band of brothers as the two(!) newcomers included Jennie, an occasional midweeker. As explained in the previous blog, an enforced change of lunch venue saw me playing safe and opting for an old favourite and slightly reduced mileage.


We took the my usual route from Hampton past Feltham's sheep and on to Sunbury, Ashford and Staines. The first level crossing was closed - will we ever learn? Sneakily the Editor kept to the main road so reached the Runnymede tearooms ahead of the bunch. A dozen plus Squirrels was the score with a surprise visit from the Trencherman. To avoid any confusion it was the other newcomer (also called Daniel) who took a tumble in Bushy Park. In some discomfort he turned back at 11s (the hospital later confirmed a broken arm).

I had surveyed routes through Windsor town but on such a fine day we had to use the Great Park. I can't recall when last C&M climbed Crimp Hill but today it did. As we were discovering throughout the ride, the Extra Hour generates extra traffic, and extra (jay)walkers in the Royal Parks.  The New Leathern Bottle at Jeallot's Hill was reached route at 1215. Despite an entry in the 2016 Good Beer Guide, the other "customer" was a child playing on a tablet. Most opted for proper nosh but the slowish service could be overlooked thanks to our early arrival and the gargantuan portions.

The return was equally familiar - Warfield Church, North Ascot and across the Racecourse. During a second transit of the Park, we espied an extensive film set close by Ascot gate. I punctured at the top of Tite Hill; Andy was called upon to lead to Laleham while Neil produced a necessary second(!) tyre lever when I stopped twice to replace the inner tube. Despite the long delay we rejoined at the garden centere where the light was frittered away in idle gossip. By four we went our various ways. My first lights of the winter were needed for the last three miles. Around 55 miles door to door.