B Ride 17 September from Fairoaks

On an overcast day, against strong head-winds and under lowering skies, 18 plucky B's made the long ride to the start at Fairoaks Airport.  Hard questions were in the air: would the weather improve?  Would the lunchtime pub - new to most of us - be OK?  Would we encounter Donald Trump as we tried to enter Windsor Great Park?

Ray led the first group - Davey, Martina, Anne, Francis and back marker Mick:

'We set out at 10.40 and got to Philpot Lane before having to stop and reset the course, as my phone was taking me back to Shepperton!  Once this was sorted, we quickly got into our stride and cycled through Horsell to the Basingstoke Canal.  Going west, we stopped at St John's flight of locks for a photo before going on Brookwood and Bisley army camp where we took the Queens Road.  Along here we passed the A's going the other way.  On reaching Bisley we turned on to the Guildford Road to West End and then along a road I never ridden to Broadway Road.  We then used a well-used route into Ascot and on the Cheapside.

After lunch at the Thatched Tavern we used a familiar route through Windsor Park, Virginia Water and up to Lyne.  Then down Holloway Hill, where we were held up by road works and traffic lights, and then into Addlestone, arriving at Walton Marina for tea.'

Steph led the second group, of John, Pam, Carolyn, Brenda and Chris:

'The route headed south and joined the Basingstoke Canal, along a section we hadn't ridden for a long time.  The surface was good and we were sheltered from the wind.  We went astray a couple of times at road crossings, once finding ourselves at the same junction as Stephen's group.  Luckily he had to deal with a small cut, so we managed to retain our place as the second group on the road.  As we got closer to lunch his team gained on us again, but politely kept to the rear of our back marker, Chris.

Lunch was cosy and very enjoyable, quickly served with a smile.  Brenda decided not to stop, and on the afternoon stretch Pam turned off for home at the Lyne turnoff.  She had proved a stalwart on her excellent new bike, but determined not to overuse the battery!  The rest of us made it to Walton before dispersing for home.

A very satisfying day out, including riding through Windsor Park (always a plus) and not a sign of Trump.  On the news they said Windsor was deserted: they obviously missed us swarming through the park.'

Stephen's 3rd group consisted of Liz, Bernard, Sabina, Peter and Tim G who kindly back marked:

'The threatened rain never materialised as we made good progress down to the Basingstoke Canal, where the surface was firm, the water and trees lovely, and pedestrians with dogs few.  At one crossing we caught up briefly with Steph's group, but dropped behind again to deal with a minor cut and to take photos.  We too encountered the A's going the other way.  Near Bisley we kept our heads down and helmets firmly on as the sounds of rifle shooting - but fortunately no bullets -  rent the air.  As we approached Ascot we saw Steph's group ahead again, but held back from the catch until reaching the pub.

The Thatched Tavern was new to us, though Pam recalled visiting some years before. Food and service were fine.  Afterwards we headed out to Windsor Great Park - where we were untroubled by Trump - and through familiar roads to the Marina at Walton Bridge.  For the final leg to the Bridge we left the road and took the more scenic path by Broadwater Lake.'

Thank you to all who joined the ride for your compamy, particularly the subleaders and back markers.  In conclusion we are pleased to report that, contrary to initial anxieties, the weather did improve, the new pub proved a success - and Trump was nowhere to be seen!