Hoppo takes a "sickie" so at short notice and zero planning, Bernie takes the helm. Out of the archives, I find a route to a Wetherspoons pub, always a good plan when you haven't got time to book a table. Seven follow me out of Uxbridge. I give the Thorn an airing for the first time this year as there are no off road bits to clog the wheels. Our route takes us past Pinewood, Stoke Poges and Farnham Royal to our coffee stop at Sunrise Cafe, Burnham Village. Afterwards, we head for Maidenhead, turning north past Boulters Lock, to Cookham. The inevitable climb out of Bourne End is courtesy of Harvest Hill, with everyone except Steve T overtaking me. He walks it, very sensible. From the top we wend our way northeast past Odds Farm to our lunch stop at The Hope & Champion, Beaconsfield Services. I've noticed a peculiar trend on this ride, that those most capable of climbing hills, seem to moan about them. After the usual prompt service at Wetherspoons, we head by the most direct route east towards Uxbridge. Geoff C and John Mac leave us at Gerrards Cross. Back on the Oxford Road, we stumble across Jan H and Melissa O from one of the other rides. I hide from a passing shower on the underpass at Uxbridge trying my best to unleash my "Rain-legs".