Nine riders turned up at the golf club this bright but cold morning due to a brisk north wind.  We set of promptly prior to Simon arriving and head toward Holyport with the expectation of meeting up with him.  We found Simon about 2miles away in the final throws of mending a puncture. 

Now 10 the group headed through Fifield and on into Windsor, then the long route to Eton via Datchet.  The wind across Dorney Common wasn’t as bad as expected, but turning left toward the rowing lake Mike hit something, so we had a short pause while he appeared to be adjusting his handle bars.  As we approached the A4 we caught a rider heading out on a 200km sportive.  Over the lights we headed up through Taplow and Cliveden at a manageable pace for everyone and on to the A40.

At the A40 we took a left and heading at speed down the A40 into Loudwater with Simon suggesting which hill to go up.  He selected Abbey Barn Lane (unknown to the rest of the group) despite thinking Danuta wouldn’t be happy.  Going along the valley most of the rider knew a hill was coming so selected the small chain ring except for Mike.  With the left turn upon us, several groans were heard, seeing the severity of the switch back turn and gradient.  About 10m into the climb Mikes bike when bang, he wobbled and fell to a halt with a broken chain, but otherwise unhurt.  The lead 4 riders decided to continue to a safe point at the top for the other to follow up.

A few minutes later Andy W arrived at the top with a message from Simon for me to go back down as I was the only one with a chain tool.  This hill was quiet busy going up as the 200km was going the same way.  Going down I saw Gurpal going up doing the sportive ride.   Back safely at the bottom, I was a little annoyed to find Mike now covered in oil using Les’s chain tool.  Was this Simon and or Andy W having a laugh?

Eventual the group got back together and we decided to follow the sportive pink signs along some dubious lanes (narrow with lots on stones), first climbing then dropping down a viciously steep hill into Marlow bottom with a sharp left turn at the base.  Safely at the bottom, Simon’s rear tyre went bang so another short pause.  Here we saw more sportive riders.

On the road again we headed into Marlow, where Simon, Danuta and Robert all went home.  The group now at six (I forgot to say Gary left us for home in Loudwater) heading for Henley and did some through and off at around 25mph into Henley.  We now all headed back to the golf club via Wargrave and Twyford.  The winery sprint was won by new rider Rob with myself and Les separated by a photo.  The final sprint into the golf club was uncontested after Rob made an early break and the pack not following as the road has recently been gritted.

Todays ride was a little under 51miles and completed at 18.5mph.  An approximation of the route can be found at http://app.strava.com/rides/6774922.   The map and route appear misaligned by about 300m, so it appears most of the time I wasn’t on a road at all.