Norwesters ride report 23-7-25

 

A trip North was planned, not too far. Flowerland GC at Iver Heath for lunch, 11;s was the 

Ferry, as usual. And 9 merry pedlers met for coffee. The weather was okay and we set 

off through Sheperton  and over the whirly bridge across the M3 and past Longacres 

GC and skirting around Ashford, we crossed the A30 to Stanwell Moor and the delightfu

l (not) village of Poyle to the old Bath road briefly,into Colnbrook, then crossing the 

Colbrook bypass.

We then entered Lakeside road, a former flytipper favourite, now partially blocked to 

cars/lorries, but not the hardy cyclist. We then took the off road section to the newly

built Smart motorway bridge to Old Slade Lane. The bridge is lovely, but the approach

 road is still full of pot holes.

 

We were soon in Iver and heading up Swallow street to the turning for Flowerland and

lunch. The garden centre is full of everything, as well as plants. The cafe has indoor

and outdoor seating and we sat outside. The food was very good but the 

service was very disorganised and slow.

 

 

4 of these to get through

We were early so no rush, but we had to head back South and I had a little surprise for 

part of the trip back. We headed towards Uxbridge and turned off down Old Mill lane 

and onto the lovely off road trail, part of the London Loop, until just before the end we

 crowded a small footbridge onto the Colne Valley Trail. The part we were on is an old 

overground road which was an entrance to a Thames Water plant. It took lots of effort 

to get through the cycle barriers, but we were soon past Thorney Golf club, a good tea 

stop.  

We were soon passing under the M4 and cycling through Heathrow and into Hatton

 road, where Stephen's tyre went flat, he pumped it up and we continued to Feltham, 

where his tyre was flat again, so he decided on a train home from Fetham station. We 

carried on with more off-road and onto the trail along the Crane river.

 

Tea

There is a lovely tea/coffee stop right next to the shot tower with outside seating and 

toilets in the tower, so it was decided to use this as our afternoon tea stop, they did 

cafe and home made ice cream. As usual there was lots of banter and Madie said the

 day was more of an adventure than just a cycle ride.

A great group to cycle with, thank you all for making it a lovely on, and off, the bike, 

a special thanks to Ray for back marking.

Tony..