Chris led seven loiterers out of Uxbridge with the aim of reaching Pinner to witness the annual St Georges Day Wheelbarrow Race. We crossed Uxbridge Common, on around Swakeley’s Lake, onto and across Ickenham Green to West Ruislip. Chris the led us through Ruislip and Eastcote to elevenses at The Village Inn PH at Rayners Lane. Here we were joined by Reinette, Emily, Gill, and Melissa.
After coffee Chris led us along paths through green spaces and along roads not necessarily straight or narrow alarmingly around Pinner to lunch at The William Jolle PH, a Wetherspoon’s Pub. This pub takes its name from William Jolle, who lived here in the late 14th century. Jolle is the old spelling of the name of this ancient local family, which also gave its name to Joel Street.
After a fine lunch we headed of by roads and paths across Cuckoo Hill open space and on to Pinner High Street. The High Street was closed to traffic so we walked our bike up the the Queens Head PH where we locked them up in the car park while we took in the atmosphere of the festivities along the High Street. We saw the wheelbarrow competitors set off for the start of the race and then watched them finish egged on by loud cheers from the crowd. Eventually it was time to leave Pinner and Chris led us though the Memorial Park and on to Ruislip and Uxbridge with the group dispersing along the way.
An interesting ride of about 21 miles.