The last of my 100km Summer Sunday rides with the Uxbridge loiterers this year. Intially 8 riders joinded me at Uxbridge John Owen, John Macmillan, Cliff, Lilo, Bob, Iain, Graham & Bernie “the bolt” (aka Bosun Green). We picked up Phil en route near Chalfont St Peter .
Coffee stop was Brown Sugar cafe in Chesham.
The lunch stop was planned to be the King and Queen in Wendover that was a former 'House of ill-repute' (circa 17C). It has a rather graphic carving on the doorstep which was inspected by some of the riders.
(one of whom required an explanation of what it depicted).
In a blatant breech of cycling etiquette John MacMillan had taken the group there last Wednesday so I changed the plan and we proceeded to The shoulder of Mutton.
Having locked the bikes and gone to the bar we were informed that there would be a long delay for food so it was back to the brothel!
After lunch we set off to near the beginning of the Wendover arm of the grand union canal it was at this point that someone informed me that Phil had decided to leave the group perhaps he had found something else more interesting on the menu at the King and Queen – one can only speculate.
The tow path was surprisingly dry given the recent rain and we did the full 4km to the turn off that I had planned despite my giving the offer of 'bail outs' at a couple of points to the riders.
The route home passed through Wendover woods and close to the highest point in the Chilterns.
We returned via Amersham.
The passing of a statue of a ship's figurehead inspired Bosun Green to recall one of his bawdy sea shanties, mercifully we were able to stop him reciting it.
Out of the blue the decision was made to try and get to Denham church for tea & cakes so the route from Little Chalfont was similar to the route out only in the opposite direction and at twice the speed as time was getting on.
Unfortunately I suffered a front wheel puncture just outside Denham so I sent the group on. Fortunately there was still cake left at the church when I arrived.