We set off from the Ferry Café,
Shepperton as two groups, since the ride attracted 12 riders. This meant that
we needed a sub leader and Paula kindly volunteered. Geoff and Terry both
departed for home after coffee, which left 10 of us to ride as two groups to
the Watermans Arms, Eton. The groups were split with Bob, Pete, Liz, Steph and
Grant forming the first group and Pam, Gill, Dawn, Tony and myself the second.
The route took us off along to Chertsey Bridge where we went under the bridge and
along the riverbank before we headed back towards Staines using Penton Avenue
and Penton Road. On reaching Staines, we bypassed the town centre and came out
next to Lammas Park and made our way via Wraysbury, Horton and the outskirts of
Datchet before crossing the M4 via a pedestrian / cycle bridge at the entrance
to Ditton Park. This was the start of our off-road adventure that took us to
Eton School. It was then a matter of using some quiet roads and paths to arrive,
via a road alongside the Thames, at the Watermans Arms.
Dutton Manor
The bar service and quality of the
food was good but unfortunately the later orders placed took some time to
arrive. That wasn’t a problem for us but would be a problem for the main group.
The afternoon ride started off
fine and followed route 4, across the meadows to Rangers Gate and into Windsor
Great Park. Past the polo fields where they were setting up for an evening game
and on to Wick Gate. Here the two groups took two different routes back to
Shepperton. Paula’s group, having left the pub somewhat earlier did the correct
but longer route, while my group elected to take a more direct route to
Shepperton. The first group arrived at the Ferry Café and were enjoying their
coffees when we arrived at 16.45, just being able to order our drinks before
the cafe closed at 17.00. We finally left for home at 17.30 having had a good
ride that we had all enjoyed. A big thank you to Paula for sub leading and the
rest of the group for your company.
Ray
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