Lacking inspiration on where to lead, I just said Off-Road when Sandra asked me for web information.
Having said it and had it published, I had no option but to do just that 
Sandra, was of the opinion all the Loiterers would be far to sensible to follow me, so we could get home early and walk the dog, or do some gardening, but her cunning did not quite work. Steve “I would have come with you, but I am leading the shorts”, Stuart M and Tony H only wanted a short ride and followed Steve. Many had taken the mid option, of the away start with Frances.
Angela couldn’t think of an excuse quickly enough, John Hare was joining us to tea, and my two name sakes were up for a challenge  so the 6 of us set off to Nitas.
We headed north out of Uxbridge following the river Frays. The old fishing path has been re-laid into a fine flat path, lulling my followers into a false sense of security, as the raised sleeper section as you leave the river caught someone unawares. The lovely track reduces in the last section to a squeeze between fence and brambles coming out at a bridge crossing the Grand union Canal. After a short length of towpath we turned into Denham Country Park, following the meandering track around the area eventually turning off to get to Denham Green by going under the railway at the station. A slight rise through the houses, then ducking back under the railway we turned right and followed the trail next to the railway to Higher Denham, passing the village Hall we have our AGM in and up Broken Gate Lane. Going Up this Lane was a first for one of the group who had previously only been down it, unfortunately there was no mud and the deeper pot holes have had gravel put in them.
A section of road sometimes can’t be avoided, so along the A40 to cross the Motorway then left to drop down through Fulmer Splash (or over the bridge optional routing) straight up the hill (Angela has previously avoided trying to ride up it and was surprised how easy it was) and into Black Park. Around the park crossing the A412 and passing through Langley Park out onto Wood Lane and into Nita’s Burger Bar.
The weather was pleasant so we sat outside under the sun shade for our drinks and snacks. Sandra my trusty TEC (Tail End Charlie) was heading home to walk the dog. John was also heading back and funnily enough so was everyone else. We followed the NCN to Iver Lane, where John who needed to get home turned left. I of course turned right and led to Ford Lane and Little Britain. Then followed a path down the side of the Colne for no other reason than because the path is there. We crossed the Colne using the Iver Lane bridge then continued following the river on the other side until lifting over a small style to come out in Cowley Mill Road, where we joined the towpath and headed back toward Uxbridge. Angela took her leave of us to head back to Gerrards Cross, as we turned onto Rockingham Road, to go back up Windsor Street to our starting point.
The 3 Alan’s crossed our start point and went straight on, following the alleys up past the garages to Hercies Road which we dropped down turning left to enter the fields by the Ski Slope ( I grew up in Uxbridge, the Ski slope came and has gone! What else can I call the fields?). Going straight on and into the woodland we looked at the massive bike jumps that have been built, none of us wanting to show off, or do massive personnel injury to ourselves, we just looked then crossed the bridge and followed the cycle path to Swakeleys park (almost we actually followed the single track between the trees). At the other side of the park we diverted to the Pinn which we followed to the footbridge. After a brief discussion where we all felt it best to cross the bridge, we went straight on, to look at Pynchester Moat, which is so old, the lettering has all but totally faded on the information board about it!
For anyone thinking of following in our tyre tracks, care is required on the steps on either side of the bridge, and a left turn when entering the field will shortcut a fairly long ride through long grass around the rest of the field. Once we had lifted over the style onto Breakspear Road we went under the railway again (same line about 2km closer to London) and followed the bridleway up to New Years Green Lane. A right left into Bayhurst around it to the right, (nice track I’ve not been on for years, usually I go left), then to the left of Madbess Woods very rough Bridleway (worst bit of route). Indeed this track was so rough that when we split up on the climb I was told I was dropping John, a clever trick as we had left John in Iver and all 3 of us are called Alan! A bumpy enough to forget your own name! Crossing Duckshill Road at the top to drop down through copse wood to The Waters Edge, deciding on a snack rather than meal we then looped around the lake inside the railway to the cafe, where as the shorts photo shows the beach area was full of children and families enjoying the sunshine.
After the stop we retraced our steps, this time going around the lake outside the railway, we crossed one patch of mud soft enough to leave a tyre track, only mentioned as usually this section is all but un-rideable due to mud. Across the common and back to Ducks Hill road, by a parallel route to the one taken earlier. Taking a much smoother track back through Madbess, crossing back into Bayhurst and around it to the right, leaving to take the track to Harefield Church where Alan turned off home. The remaining Alan’s went through Denham quarry rejoining the canal by Uxbridge golf course bridge and along the towpath back to Uxbridge where the other Alan turned off? Or was it me that turned off?
An enjoyable ride, both the Alan’s said they are checking out more off road riding possibilities since I have shown them some of the tracks that are available which is very nice to hear.
34 miles Uxbridge to Uxbridge, Via Uxbridge (maybe I should have put ride details on the web earlier)
Alan