20th August - Runnymede-Bourne End-Windsor

It was a tale of four tea stops: but more of that later.   A lucky 13 met for elevenses at a sunny Runnymede, including new riders Michiko and Niall, friends of Tony & mine through another cycling group.   Bill & Margaret, Alan and Bob were heading home after elevenses, so nine set off towards Bourne End, through Datchet, crossing Slough via a couple of parks and a cycleway with several chicanes to make life interesting.   A few short sharp hills, through Burnham Beeches and some quiet lanes on the way to Hedsor with a steep downhill into Bourne End.  

At the Cinnamon Café.  Niall and Michiko in foreground.

The Bounty at Bourne End is not reachable by road, so bikes had to be carried across the railway bridge, down & up steps before a short walk along the towpath to reach it.   The situation, right on the river bank, and the eccentric nature of the pub, is worth the extra effort, although when we reached the pub and found it full to overflowing, I was worried whether we'd get served before sundown.    I needn't have worried - we found a table outside and the service was very efficient.    The original plan for tea had been Vermeulens, but the route developed in a different way so was changed to Savill Gardens: then there was a prospect of late afternoon rain so we shortened it to Windsor Farm Shop, but finally Tony came up with the idea of the Cinnamon Café in Windsor, where we ended up.  Only about 30 miles in all but a good day out with good company.   Thank you to Niall and Michiko for offering to back-mark and we hope you will join us again on a Sunday.