A cloudy but warmer morning than of late saw eight loiterers follow Sandra out of Uxbridge for the medium ride. We rode out to Denham Country Park and on across the golf course and on up to Tilehouse Lane. Dropping down to the North Orbital Road and up Chalfont Lane we continued on towards Chalfont St Peter for elevenses at Chalfont St Peter Parish Church Hall. Here we were greeted by Phil M and found the long ride members Dave P, John H, and Cliff already enjoying a rest as well as Terry, John P, and David M who were to join us on the medium ride.
We left Chalfont St Peter around the northern extremities by road and track to Chalfont Grove down Bowstridge Lane and up Dibden Hill, at the top of the hill, while getting our breath back, we noticed a Red Indian staring out of a hedge. On we went passing through Three Households and Jordans to Seer Green. Pedalling North we tuned off down the narrow Rawlings and Bottom Lanes and on into Seer Green where we followed Long Grove down to Longbottom Lane and on towards Beaconsfield. A diversion up Sandleswood End took us towards Knotty Green and our lunch stop at The Red Lion.
The Red Lion wasn’t busy until we arrived, empty comes to mind, but we we were fed and watered well. I found out later that they have an Enid Blyton room complete with pictures of Noddy and friends and we missed it.
After lunch John P, Terry, and David left us while Sandra led us up towards Penn and down to Marrods Bottom. Climbing Coleshill Lane we came across Hertfordshire House, a fine building with a long barn attached, the barn is eighteenth century and is grade II listed. Continuing on to Magpie Lane we dropped down to the A355 by the Harte & Magpies then on up Botterells Lane en route to Chalfont St Giles. Climbing out of Chalfont St Giles we headed down Gorlands and Chesham Lanes towards Horn Hill and a tea stop at The Dumb Bell.
Leaving the Dumb Bell Alan and John Mac left us and we dropped down Hornhill Road to West Hyde. At the Coy Carp Margaret, Brian, and Paul left us for home and we followed the canal to Black Jacks Lock where took to the track beside Broadwater Lake to South Harefield. We were then led along tracks past the marina an HOAC’s lake. Before we turned to cross the canal into Denham Country Park Stuart left us to return home leaving Sandra, Liliane, and myself heading towards Uxbridge. A great ride with some unexpected twists.
Uxbridge to Uxbridge 36.5 miles.