7 days ago I was racing in the European Duathlon Champs circumventing endless roundabouts in Madrid in torrential rain and hailstones, so I was hoping for slightly more comfortable conditions back in Maidenhead this morning.  However this was a UK bank holiday weekend so I wasn't entirely surprised to see the rain falling when I looked out of the window this morning.  It was one of those days when I wondered whether I would find anyone at the Clock Tower when I turned up, so I was pleased to meet both Steve (a prospective member keen for his first ride) and Rob. 

Both had cycled up from Bracknell so we decided to go south so they could both head back easily when they wanted to.  In fact we ended up on what was a bit of a Rob Magical Mystery Tour.  We started off conventionally enough out towards Twyford as the rain varied between heavy, light and briefly stopped.  Given the conditions we kept to a fairly fixed order of Rob (mudguards and long flap), me (mudguards, smaller flap) and Steve (no mudguards).  Before Twyford we took an early left to avoid the village centre and after a detour over the M4 and back we made it to Dinton Pastures where we decided to follow the reliability route through Sindlesham and Arborfield.  At Swallowfield we turned left a bit too early but soon got back on route. 

However we then turned left too early (this was becoming a bit of a theme this morning!) into what was, given the conditions ominously called Ford Road.  This was actually the sort of fantastic smooth quiet lane that you often come across on Audax rides and can never find again.  Fortunately we could avoid the ford too and a signpost told us that crossing the river meant we were back in Berkshire.  However this brought us back to just before Swallowfield and as time was getting on we decided to make our way towards Bracknell.  This wasn't easy though without signs, although at least the sun was out by now.  A fellow cyclist pointed the right way as we found ourselves in Arborfield Garrison, though I was a bit worried when we passed the Reading FC training ground on our right which meant we must be heading south again.  Fortunately we soon found Nine Mile Ride so Steve and Rob headed to Bracknell whilst I headed home via Wokingham.  A longer ride than I was expecting given the weather but a very enjoyable outing.  51 miles at about 15.8mph for me