A group of nine (Danuta, Andy, Ian, Gary, John, Mark, Matt, Simon, and myself) braved the cold, ice and bitter wind that periodically hit the group for the BH Sunday morning ride.

Leaving BH we headed out through Bray and on to Maidenhead at a steady pace. Not sure who was leading as Andy and I were enjoying the ride sitting at the back talking about the merits of the if it ain’t broke don’t fix it philosophy and the wasteful throwaway society of today. We probably sounded like a couple of grumpy old men).

From Maidenhead it was on to Cookham where we turned left and headed for Winter Hill and the gentler but longer drag up Terry’s Lane. As Danuta lives up the top of the hill there was much speculation as to her residence and after denying that she did not live in “Danuta Towers” and her drive was not a mile long she did admit to having celebrity neighbours.

Mark lead up the hill with the group strung out behind and at the top John headed off for home as he had to go to work. Down the tricky hairpin side Simon showed us his master descending skills with Mark Matt and myself trying to hold on.
We turned over the bridge and through Marlow taking a right up the long hill to Frieth. Mark lead the way gaining a reasonable lead until first Matt and then Ian took chase. These three lead over the top with Andy, Simon and myself following. Waiting for a complete regroup, Matt proceeded to tell Danuta and me about the some poor chap who after being exposed to severe weather conditions had to have two fingers and 2 inches of his most personal parts amputated. Funny how someone’s misfortune can amuse others, but perhaps Matt and I made mental note about thermal underwear!

Realising Gary was missing, and determined not to lose him for a second week, we gradually headed back down the hill and after about ½ a mile we found him mending a puncture. There was some comment that the inner tube might just have given up at the sight of Gary’s super aero “orange” spokes.
Back together we headed for Fingest with most of us trying to get some warmth back as the wind seemed bitter at this point. It was then on to Turville, Turville Heath and Northend on the undulating roads which gradually gain height up towards Christmas Common. The group became strung out at this point with Ian, Mark, Matt, Simon and Andy pushing the pace. A quick regroup at the sharp left upon reaching the Common, and then the group moved along at a good pace with a number of people sharing the leading.

At the top of Pisshill it was left again on to the fast decent. Andy initial lead before I took the front, only to be quickly passed by Simon who again showed great downhill prowess. As Andy and I caught up to Simon Danuta came passed with everyone in tow. The group then “flew” down the hill with nearly everyone taking a turn at the front at some point. At the bottom there was no let up in pace with various ”attacks” from Ian, Simon, Matt and myself with speeds for some hitting the high thirties.

A further regroup at the Marlow bridge had most of us stating what fun it had been travelling at our recent speeds. We then cut off for Warfield but soon Danuta peeled off for home as she also had to work later in the day. There were various leaders on route to the A4 at Twyford and at the roundabout Andy, having run out of water, decided it was time to head for home. Into Twyford and Ian turned for home while the remainder of the group headed for the usual route back to BH. There was a token sprint at the Winery which Simon took I think, and shortly after Mark and Gary went their separate ways home. That left Matt, Simon and yours truly to make it back to BH, with me hanging on a bit!
Today’s route was 54 miles at an average of 17.8 mph.

In the 20 odd months that I have been riding out from BH, I think this is currently the strongest the group has ever been, with 8 or so very good riders. This is backed up by one of the newer members to the group who had ridden out with another local club, and said that the Maidenhead group was much faster.