Today 9 riders turned up for a windy ride at Bird Hills golf club this week.  The riders being: Ian, Mark, Jonny, Danuta, Mike, Matt, Dominic, Gary and myself.   While at the golf club it was noticed that the tube on Marks rear tyre was trying to escape through a slit in the side wall, so a repair was required. During the discussion about route, 3 people wanted to be home around 11am for various reasons.  Danuta suggested going up the hill out the back of Henley with a large communications / satellite dish on the left.

So we set off towards Twyford.  Progress was relatively slow due to the strong head wind through Shurlock Rows.  Gary set the pace and was looking strong considering he’d done nearly 80miles on Saturday.   The rise into Twyford past the winery felt easier today due to the wind, but as we approach the top someone called for a puncture, so we paused at a sheltered spot by the roundabout.

Back on route we crossed the river at Sonning and headed up Playhatch where Mark made a strong attack, with myself and Matt taking up the chase. The leaders slowed at the green as we took the left fork.  At the cross road we turned right and head down to Harpsden.  Re-grouping at the foot on the hill, Mark, Ian and Gary turned left for Henley and home with the remaining 6 turn left and immediately right up the hill toward Rotherfields Greys.  Despite all the years of riding, Jonny had never been up this hill and Danuta made some comment about not liking hills.   From Greys we continued to gradually climb up to Nettlebed.  At the top of Pishill we had a quick pause for a comfort break and consider the route options.

We kept it steady to Christmas Common for the right turn to North End.  Leaving North End down a slight drop, Jonny set off a speed to take the lead from Mike, by squeezing past an oncoming car.  It looked much closer than it was, but several riders plus the car driver all appeared to feel it was a silly move.

Some of the group make swift progress down Turville Heath with Jonny again showing off is descending skills.  On the subject of going downhill, Jonny explained his skills at going downhill at speed on a snow board and reaching approaching 80kmh.  Another short pause at Frieth to regroup with signs that Jonny and Danuta were both starting to struggle.  Marlow arrived pretty quickly despite a head wind down into Marlow.  At we left Marlow and headed up Quarywood, Danuta offered coffee at her residents now known as Danuta Towers.  Her castle is very impressive perched on the side of a hill.  After 20-30 mins of refreshments and general chat about age, club nights, snowboarding and reliability rides, we thanked Danuta for her hospitality and headed back towards the golf club.  Mike and Jonny were the only riders to return past the golf club, by turning right up Howe Lane, with the remainder heading towards Holyport and on home.

Today group ride was approximately 45 miles completed at an average riding speed of 17.4mph.