Wednesday. My ride. Followers are: Lilo Bleasdale, Dave Brown and Michael Triesman. The planned route is to Ripley. A route I haven't done for over two years. I wanted to rehearse the ride on Sunday, but this idea was abandoned due to the weather. Even with my trusty GPS I know it will be a challenge. So heading south through West Drayton and Poyle, we stop at The George at Staines for refreshments but they've run out of cups. Dave points out an Itialian cafe called Creams, nearby, so we go in there. Coffee is not cheap but it is good. Lilo has to leave us here. The rest of us continue along the Thames Path to Chertsey. Near Weybridge, it's not immediately obvious how to get on the River Wey Navigation, but some walkers and a cyclist help us out. At Ripley we head for the Half Moon pub. We discover that they are only selling sandwiches. Ok for Michael and me, but Dave wants proper nosh so we head for the pub over the road, The Talbot Inn. Unsure where to park our bikes, we are ushered into a function room that is being decorated. The pub is very old, with oak beams everywhere, even an inglenook. Good grub as well. The return journey is all tarmac but some main roads as well, mainly because of my desire to avoid going through a bog at Horsell Common. Dave is a bit worried as I head west instead of north. We eventually arrive in familiar territory at Virginia Water and Englefield Green, and zoom down Crimp Hill to our tea stop at Windsor Farm Shop. A sharp shower catches us at Datchet, but peters out as we approach Richings Park and Iver. A ride worth the challenge that I hope to repeat some time. Regards Bernie G