27 Sept to Dorney

Got up. Put on a ridiculous amount of clothes.  Went outside.   Realised it was the correct amount of clothes.   Rode to elevenses.

The best laid plans etc.  Plan A was to go to the New Leathern Bottle in Jeallot's Hill.   But it seems to be permanently closed.   Plan B, on advice from the group, was as above, but take a picnic.   On the day however it was cold with a keen north wind and we decided to shorten the ride a bit and go to Dorney instead.

A legitimate six at elevenses in Staines, although we never met together as six:   Bob, Graham, David, Tony and myself inside Wetherspoons; Pam staying safe in the (very) fresh air.   After coffee and chat, Bob left us and we headed out towards Egham and Prune Hill to warm us up, although nobody seemed particularly grateful for that part of the ride.   I was leading a group of experienced leaders, most of whom had taught me a few routes themselves, but everyone seemed happy to follow along today.    We rode past a polo match at the Guards Polo Club, where the score was 0-0 but nothing else could be understood about the state of play, and descended to Windsor: a bit of tow path and we were at Dorney Lake: the lake was off limits with a locked gate but we followed the winding NCN4 around the perimeter to get to lunch.

David W left us at Dorney.  Lunch was at Dorney Court Garden Centre:  I chose a nice sunny table, but the sun went in so we were a bit chilly by the time we got back on our bikes, and a direct route home seemed the best option.   After Datchet, Graham left us as we three turned off for Wraysbury junction; Pam left us at Staines, and Tony and I pedalled on to tea at Shepperton.  Tony and I compared Garmins (it's a man thing): his said 672 ft climbing, mine said 390 metres (1280 feet), despite really no difference in height between where we started.  An enjoyable day out, if a little chilly.   Thank you all for your contributions to the ride and for your company.