South Bucks Joint Ride Report

 Sunday 7th May: Joint Ride with S.W. London CTC.

The month started with one of the highlights of the year; it is is the third year of our spring time rides with friends from  the  South  West  London  group, who  had  ridden  up  from  the metropolis  to Hampton  Court  and  then  onto  Black  Park  for  11s.  Sadly,    Chiltern  Hills  could  only muster two (Barry and JC) to join them, but we were soon welcoming Robert, Peter E. Fred  and  Baldrick  from  the  Thames  Valley  group  as  well  as  eight  riders  from  S.W. London.    It was great to resume old friendships with Tony Hopkins and company, many of whom regularly attend the Golden Beeches rally each October. After refreshment and chat, we set off for lunch at Tylers Green Village Hall.

On these events, we try to show our visitors  the  best  parts  of  our  area,  avoiding  the  main  roads,  skirting  the  towns  and housing estates and using a selection of the prettiest lanes in South Bucks. From Black Park, it was up to Langley Corner, we avoided Fulmer and Stoke Poges, up Gipsy Lane to cross the A355 at Egypt, into Harehatch Lane, down Ship Hill, turn left into Green Common  Lane;  is  there  a  prettier  lane  in  the  County  when  the  bluebells  are  out? Lillyfee  Farm  Lane  and  Whitehouse  Lane  (down  White  Hill  on  the  A40,  opposite  the former Mother Redcap pub)must run it close and were also part of our route. So we ended up at St Paul's church in Penn, from which it was but a short ride to Tyler Green, there to be greeted by some of our regular Coffee Potterers – John & Wendy, Audrey, Eleanor and Jane together with Mac, who had just got back from acontinental holiday.

Catering  was  provided  by  Cilla  and  Simone;  an  excellent  buffet  lunch  comprising
sandwiches and homemade biscuits from Cilla, with quiches, sausage rolls, crisps and cake which Simone had purchased plus plenty of tea and coffee, all generously funded by Chiltern Hills club funds. A collection was taken for the Air Ambulance, which yielded over £60. So a successful and enjoyable day and thanks to everyone who took part, especially Cilla and Simone for the catering. Next year, it is S.W. London's turn to hostthe  event  in  their  area  and  I  would  strongly  recommend  as  many  South  Bucks members as possible take part.

Article taken from South Bucks CTC monthly magazine.

Tony..