My ride. Before we even leave Uxbridge I'm getting phone calls from late comers. I decide to hang on for Iain MacDonald, who arrives by train just as we are setting off. So with Iain, Lilo Bleasdale, John Hare, Colin Acreman, and Cliff Jones we set off along Oxford Road, past Denham Mount, and along the A413 to Crumbs cafe in Chalfont St Peter. Here we are joined by Chris Kinsey, John MacMillan and Robin Johnson. After refreshments we climb Gold Hill, through Chalfont St Giles, Penn Street and Holmer Green. Descending into Hughenden Valley was perhaps not the best bit of planning, as we have to climb back out of it as we turn east towards our lunch stop at Deep Mill Diner near Little Missenden. At this point we are down to one John, Mr Hare having left us somewhere en route. At leaving time a drama unfolds. Robin had fastened his bike to a wooden bench, but didn't have a key to undo the padlock. We all try various keys of ours to no avail. A kindly fellow from the garage next door agrees to help out. Secure in the knowledge that the problem will eventually be solved we leave, climbing up to Hyde Heath, Amersham and back through the Chalfonts to Denham. On the way I receive confirmation that Robins bike has been cut free and he is homeward bound. It is because I have had the same trouble, although not stranded so far from home, that I now use a padlock that is not self-locking. A good ride, but a gloomy one, until the last bit when the sun breaks through.