2 new members joined us today, Andy and Saz, joining 7 regulars. We fancied something a bit different, avoiding the santas in Marlow! So, we took the A4 out of Maidenhead and turned left up Berry Hill, past Cliveden and to Beaconsfield. Everyone was staying together really well at this point, so after taking it steady over the M40 roundabout we zoomed down the hill into Wooburn Green and on to Bourne End. The pace started to pick up a bit and a few of us broke off and went ahead through Marlow (although I was dropped from the main group of Rob, John, Dan, Andy and Dave B). At the bottom of Frieth Hill we stopped to wait for the others - and waited and waited. John started back to see what had happened just before Dave D rang me to let me know that there had been an accident. So we turned back to meet them.

I think this is what happened - Just before Marlow - near the petrol station - there was a car turning right and there was not room for the cyclists who had to stop - but Lesley didnt have time to, and ran into the back of the car, falling off and onto her hand. Soon after, a police car came past and as there was obviously something seriously wrong with her hand, the policewoman offered to take Lesley to Wexham, whilst Dave D took the bike around to the police station in Marlow to leave it there. That was easier said than done as Dave B thought he knew where it was....and he didnt! Anyway, we hobbled around Marlow for a while and found it (saw Lucas whizz past with Thames Velo) and left her bike there.

Time for us to get on with it, so we went up the hill to Lane End - Saz was struggling a bit by now, but made it! Turning left we went down to Frieth - lost Dave D briefly to a chain fallen off, and Rob gave Saz a tow along the descent to Remenham. John took the front between Remenham and Henley - set a good pace so Saz dropped off again - and in Henley we regrouped briefly to decide to split into two. 5 went off on the usual route through Wargrave and Twyford, the rest of us decided to take the shorter route through Wargrave to the A4. Andy and I took it in turns along the A4 and kept up a good pace home.

So, I made it 43 miles at an average of 16.2 on my Garmin but I think that will vary from club member to club member this week.