Sunday the 3rd September

Uxbridge-Seer Green-Cranford

I got to Hampton Court a tad early to find Ed already waiting with Graham arriving minutes later. Off through Hampton, Hamworth, Feltham  Bedfont and back roads to Colnbrook where Irene and Niall were waiting. Back roads again and Iver, Cowley and on to 11's the Rusty bike Cafe. Just after we arrived a friend of mine (John Hare) from Uxbridge arrived showing Mick (Furnival-Adams) the way to the cafe from Uxbridge station.

Tea-Toast, Coffee-Cake in the light Sun and off by 11. A nice little climb up to Iver Heath and past Pinewood studios. Fulmer, Stoke Common, Hedgerly and past the White Horse pub, a C&M favourite, and a loop round to Gerrard's Cross and back roads to Chalfont St Peter and a left turn into Welders lane and a brief stop outside Ossy Osbourne's estate and past Jordan's youth Hostel and onto lunch at the 3 Horse Shoes, Seer Green as the rain started to increase.

I had booked a table and we had a nice comfortable booth. Orders for drinks and food were taken quickly and arrived just as quick, 4 had the childrens roast (must be big children in Seer Green!) and 2 had soup. Off into the light drizzle to Chalfont Chllafont St Giles and into Bowstridge Lane back to Chalfont St Peter and the stiff little climb up Chiltern hill through a private estate. Then Denham lane down to Denham and past Sir John Mills old house and through the Golf coures back to Uxbridge. At this point Niall and Mick left us to take the direct route along the Uxbridge road to Isleworth and Kew receptively.

It was felt that Moniz cafe at Cranford was to far East for some so Vermeulens was the next choice. On reaching the cafe and finding it closed, it was only 3.50, Irene decided to head straight for home and Ed, Graham and myself headed for Ashford and a pub or cafe there. Graham left us just as we reached Ashford and Ed and myself found a Cafe Nero still open and settled in for coffee and cake. On leaving the drizzle still continued and me and Ed parted company, I headed for Bedfont and the Staines road nearly all the way home. In spite of the weather a pleasant day on the bike with a good crowd. 73 miles door to door.

Tony..