It is only January but I decided to aim for Hedgerley for lunch. Could we make it there and back before sunset? The day dawned cool but sunny, a nice change after all the recent downpours. A good turnout at Staines for elevenses: David and Jennie, Pam, Dave Ellis, Diane, Sabina and Bernard as well as Pam, David W, Graham and myself made a decent crowd. David J had something even more important than cycling to do, so he left us after 11s, as did Graham. The remaining eight set out towards Datchet, where Pam decided to migrate south for the warmer climes of Shepperton.
The White Horse in Hedgerley was very busy, with a lot of walkers I think, but we found a table in a marquee with two heaters, and were served pretty promptly. All finished by 1.30pm and back on our way to face the lovely 12% downhill into Hedgerley, only in the other direction. Sabina was a bit worried about her e-bike as the battery was down at 44%, so she decided to walk up the hill to try to preserve it. It's a newish bike and it seems it might need a bit of tweaking. Maybe it's not designed to work in such northerly parts?
A bit of off-road by Stanwell Moor to avoid the M25 roundabout turned out to be the low-light of the ride, as there were maybe a dozen motor-bikers zooming up and down in the mud, with very little regard for anyone else. We emerged shaken but unscathed, but by now Sabina's battery was less than 20%, so we rode slowly to try and eke it out. By Ashford it was down to 11%, so a train home seemed a good idea. Luckily, this was one of the rare days when the trains were actually running. It was only 3.15 or something, so we had the idea of a cup of tea and a cake - and found a very welcoming cafe near Ashford Station, ChaiiCoffee, a perfect way to round off the day. Thank you to all for your most enjoyable company, and to David W & Jennie for back-marking.
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| Tea stop in Ashford |
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