I lead an alternative to Al Gladwin's off road ride, with more tarmac and less mud; to meet up with the A team at the published refreshment stops. That's the plan anyway. The B team sets off with Phil Hallewell and Dave Brownlea in tow. Through Bucks golf course we meet up with the A team at the end of the Pyghtle, diverging again soon after. Elevenses is at the church hall at Chalfont St Peter. Dave Peck and John Hare have already arrived, and we are soon joined by a defector from the A team, Stu Morgan. Just as the A team arrive we are ready to leave. We head up Gold Hill to Welders Lane, past Seer Green, Burtley Wood and Odds Farm. At Bourne End we locate our lunch stop, The Spade Oak pub. Sitting in the sunshine, quaffing our drinks I get a text from Alan, saying the A team are lunching at the White Horse Hedgerley. That's a disappointment. After lunch there are hills to climb, so after Marlow, we zig zag our way up to Cookham Dean. We coast down to Cookham Rise. Why does it say "rise" when we are heading for sea level? Back in the valley we trundle along Route 50 (I think) with intention of coming out at Maidenhead Court. This is not a wise decision as our way is blocked by a fence. Mistake number two is to head for White Brook and what turns out to be an old ploughed field. now grassed over. My alternative route is now becoming off road with a vengeance. Fortunately it is completely dry, but exceedingly uncomfortable to ride over. Back on the black stuff, the main road takes us to Maidenhead. Over the river, through Taplow and a tour of the Britwell Estate, we arrive thirsty at Coffee Eats and Treats, Farnham Common. As the conversation turns to the route home, It becomes obvious that the quickest route back is the preferred option, so I bin my planned route through Black Park in favour of tarmac, traffic and potholes, to Iver Heath and beyond. Bernie