The B's Took on the Weather and Won on the Way to Hillingdon, 25th March 2026

 

Following on from last Wednesday’s London ride, when the weather was perfect, a week later and a return to winter conditions! Between the groups we experienced virtually every sort of weather, sunshine on the way out, rain after lunch followed by hailstones showers intermixed with sunshine.

Tony’s Group

There was a strong turnout at Molesey Boat Club, with my group setting off first at 10:30. The ride began smoothly as we headed into Bushy Park, continuing along the River Crane Path and across Hounslow Heath. Thankfully, we encountered no “highwaymen” along the way and made steady progress.

Our route then took us along Parkway towards Cranford, west to Sipson, and northwards across the Grand Union Canal. After crossing Horton Road, we joined a pleasant cycle path, but unfortunately our progress was halted by crime scene tape, forcing a diversion. Having ridden this route many times before, I was able to guide the group around the obstruction.

We continued past Hillingdon Hospital and arrived at our lunch stop, The Red Lion Hotel. Although I had passed it many times enroute to Uxbridge, this was my first visit inside. The Fuller's-owned pub and hotel, with over 50 rooms, is beautifully maintained despite its age, offering a warm atmosphere with plenty of cosy seating areas.

Food service was a little slow, but the quality more than made up for it. As other groups began to arrive, the weather took a turn, with heavy rain setting in just as we were preparing to leave. With dark skies looming, I suggested a quicker, more direct return route back to Bushy Park, which the group agreed was the best option.

With the wind now behind us, the return journey was brisk and enjoyable. After a quick photo stop by an old tractor, we rode through Stockley Park, under the M4, and into Heathrow. From there, we followed the cycle path to Feltham, stopping to shelter from hailstones showers, re-joining the Crane River Path before heading through Fulwell and back into Bushy Park.

Francis left us at a crossroads to make his way home by 4:30, and Steph continued without stopping for tea, leaving four of us to pause briefly. A few riders from other groups arrived, though most opted to head straight home.

Despite the windy and cold conditions, it was a great day out with a fantastic group of friends. It was also nice to see Pam arrive at elevenses. Many thanks to Ray for planning a route to such an excellent lunch venue, to my group—Steph, Mick, Francis, Bob, and Martin—and a special thanks to Francis for back marking throughout the ride.

Tony

Tony’s Group at the entrance to Hale Field Park

 

Maddie’s Group

Madeleine’s group consisted of the hardy and wise Tim Gibbons, backmarker and guide, and the good company of Jane F, Fixie Dave and Martina. We had a fairly uneventful morning ride and particularly enjoyed the off-road sections. Even experienced riders hadn’t been on many parts of the route. Like all groups, we struggled against the strong headwinds for the last part of the morning but enjoyed good cheer and even a photo shoot along the way.

Like other groups, we were diverted by lots of convincing police tape. Unlike other groups who found sensible on-road ways round. We visited a nearby grassland in the wilds next to Uxbridge FC. Martina had the good sense to join Ray’s groups for this special outing.

 

The warm stop at the pub was much appreciated, but sadly, I didn’t record the appalled faces as the sky darkened and we witnessed a magnificent hailstorm. Thank goodness, it was over fairly quickly!
The afternoon ride started well. We got to the canal and were able to shelter under a bridge during some more inclement weather.  On seeing Ray’s group, we skedaddled ahead but let them catch us when my navigation started to fail. Instead of trusting Ray more than my satnav, I treated my group to a special tour of the cycle lanes along some major A roads around Southall. And then back again. They were mostly very appreciative of this bonus, though I did turn round suddenly to catch one mouthing quite a bad swear word….
We made a new route which was effectively an un-romantic beeline back to Twickenham. Luckily, Tim soon realised that we were intersecting Ray’s original route. With great relief for all of us, he then led us back to safety.

 

Just as we re-joined the Crane River and knew we were getting close, Jane had a puncture. Despite having one of the best tyre fitters in the business in Dave, it was very tricky to get the blooming tyre off the rim, so a long time for even Fixie magic to work. Under Tim’s guidance we made it through the gloaming to Bushey Park, too late for tea, but just in time for Jane to fit in another puncture. Dave and Tim sorted her out enough for her to get a lift home from a friend, thank goodness. I think we were all happy to be home and warm by nightfall.

 

Ray’s Group

We were the third group to leave at 10.50 and was made up of Tim C, Anne, Paul, Pete, Stephen and myself. As we pedalled our way across Hampton Bridge the sky looked encouraging with the sun starting to break through. Turning left into Bushy Park we cycled, traffic free, along to Laurel Road where we joined some quiet roads before joining Wellington Road. At the Great Chertsey Road we entered the western path of the river Crane. Using various quiet roads or cycle tracks we by-passed Heathrow and West Drayton before coming across Maddie’s group and police tape stopping us from using a cycle path next to Chestnut Avenue Children’s Playground. After looking at the map we then circled back and used Whitehorn Avenue to bypass the problem. It was then a case of completing the ride to our lunch time stop, the Red Lion Hotel.

The food was good and the staff friendly and welcoming but unfortunately service was ‘relaxed’, which meant that we had time to chat. We then watched the other two groups leave before setting off ourselves.

On leaving the pub, we entered the winter weather part of our journey. The rain had briefly stopped but the roads were still wet. We returned down the hill till Colham Road where we turned left and had an easy run, with the wind behind us plus the slightly downhill roads, progress was quick.  At Stilwell Roundabout we entered a path that took us into Hale Field Park. Just after exiting the park the first hailstorm briefly stopped progress as we all sheltered under some trees. We then entered Lake Farm Country Park before exiting at Botwell Road, where once again we stopped to put on rainwear and took shelter in a bus stop. Then along down to the Grand Union Canal where the surface was rough in sections but dry. At Weston Road Bridge we left the canal path and used the road running parallel to the canal to reach the next bridge at the Old Oak Tree pub. After crossing the bridge, we came across a horrible bit of road that was full of cars, with parents trying to pick up their children from school. On crossing the Great West Road, we reassembled as a group and cycled on to the Pheasantry Café at Bushy Park. It was a relief to leave the Heston and Hounslow traffic behind.

Ray’s Group at the start of the offroad path through Hale Field Park

There we meet up with Tony’s group and sat exchanging stories of the ride hoping to see Maddie’s group follow us in, but they had been delayed riding along the Crane River where Jane had two punctures. It was overall a good ride with good company helping to make it fun for everyone. Thank you, Tim, for back marking my group and the rest for adding the fun element to the ride.

Ray