Well I knew that last Sunday’s x ride lead by Dave Taylor would be a tough act to follow with all the music, carnival, weed, abusive pedestrians, Jim Swans dancing, floods, diversions and bloodshed. So I opted for a gentle flattish ride to Chiswell Green via Watford.as a contrast.
At the start there were the 2 Johns (Owen & Hare), Graham, Michael, Liliane, Dave & Phil. I had planned a route through Harefield. With the prospect of a hill Dave Peck persuaded John Hare, Liliane & Phil to go a different route to the coffee stop.
We set off and found a huge crane blocking the route so I changed the plan and went for a route via Denham and along the canal to reach the start of the Ebury way.
We caught a glimpse of the rebel riders who were using the main road to beat us to coffee.
We all met up by Watford Tesco for refreshments. John Owen & Dave Peck left after the break to do something more exciting. I switched on my GPS tracker app at this point.
John Owen had recorded the first part on his. (my phone battery couldn’t handle the whole trip).
The new re-united group set off using a quiet cycle track through to Bricket wood via otterspool & crab wood at this stage John Hare left us.
Lunch was at the 3 Hammers in Chiswell Green. Dave Taylor had brought along some wasps to liven things up a bit and released them when the food arrived.
This inspired many anecdotes & horror stories about insect stings and bites.
We continued our journey joining the Grand Union canal for a bit.
When we arrived at Croxley it was only 3:30 so by democratic decision we opted to go to Denham Church for tea & cakes.
A beautiful late Summer sunny day ride and despite DT’s presence, surprisingly uneventful.
Chris Kinsey.