I unexpectedly had a few hours free this morning before the 2nd batch of grandkids arrive for a few days at 4pm today. (The New Yorkers left us last night.) I asked Rose if I could join her Breeze Ride from Ascot? Of course she said! I have cycled twice this week with grandkids, so I was looking forward to a relaxed ride today. In fact we cycled along the Jubilee path to Windsor yesterday, doing 11miles...... and was heading to Windsor again today. 😊
The starting point was a small car park in South Ascot, where thankfully we all got a space. Rose cycled there of course, and Amy, Kim, Amanda T, myself and new rider Karen M joined us. Karen normally rides a road bike, but with today's planned route, Rose suggested a road bike not suitable, so Karen arrived with a mountain bike. (She had to work harder on any climbs, but had the advantage on the off road sections).
Route link screen shot at end
(If you are reading Karen, very nice to welcome you this morning on what I believe was only your second Breeze Ride, having done one with the Cookham Group).
Initially we "Meandered" to SunningHILL (clue is in the name!), and then a bit easier as we "Meandered" to SunningDALE. No big climbs around here really, just undulations.
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| Emerging at the the end of Larch Avenue, at the very expensive Sunningdale Park Retirement Village. We joined a nice downhill here to Sunningdale. |
A short section of the A329 London Road, and then we entered the Great Park at the Black Nest Gate, on Mill Lane. I have approached before from the opposite end of Mill Lane.
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| Looking back at the Blacknext Gate Entrance to Windsor Great Park |
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| Our leader Rose, who was on her home patch today. The tree lined avenue leads us to the Smiths Polo Lawn. |
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| The Heather along the avenue is looking lovely. |
We climbed uphill to the Polo Lawns, passing what had been stunning Hydrangeas just a week or two ago. Rose mentioned a cafe in the park which I had not been to before, so a very short detour on a road between the two main Polo lawns.
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| Saddlecam selfie on our short detour to Clara'a cafe |
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| Clara's Cocina. Argentinian cafe open April to September 7 days a week. But we're not stopping here. |
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| I spotted this little lot.............. |
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| ..... and then we were surrounded. None belonged to the dog walkers. |
We continued through the park, the deer park on our left, and exited at the Bishops Gate Road.
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| Fox and Hounds on Bishopsgate Road. But we're not stopping here. |
We peddled now in an area I am not familiar with, but believe it was here that we soon passed Elton John's house? We were heading towards Datchet, for coffee at The Windsor Farm Shop. We came into Old Windosr and passed these floral bikes on Crimp Hill. (opposite The Union Inn)
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| Hurray! Coffee stop. So why are we not going in? Staff were turning people away. A power cut!!!! |
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| So disappointing for our leader who planned a stop here. But we were allowed to use their facilities. Lights were working, but not the hand driers. |
Decision time, and Rose made a good call to use a bit of the Jubilee path, and then some tracks near Datchet station, to take us around a loop before coming to Eton. Some of the pathways a bit over grown and a few nettle stings, but it was fine. We crossed the footbridge over the Thames to skirt around the edge of the Eton School playing fields. (I had previously used this bridge to go straight over into Eton).
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| There are only a handful of seats at the back of Costa, so we used this brick wall instead. (not sure it was strictly allowed, but we got away with it. |
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| photo by Rose. Amanda and me having a laugh about the fact "no loitering" allowed here. 😂 |
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| up hill now to get into the Great Park at Prince Consort Drive, and through the park to the Watersplash Lane Gate. |
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| Exiting the park, here to join Watersplash Lane. Our average speed as we entered the park was 9.6mph. We increased to 10mph by the end. 😂 |
A final section of off road and lanes to get us back to the start, using Wells Lane.
Thank you Rose. So nice to see some new areas, and be guided for a change. Nice to see all the ladies too and and to meet Karen. I definitely am not free next Wednesday (grandchildren batch No 3 next week, but hope to be able to lead again the following week. )
It's 15.50..... so I have 10 more minutes to myself. 😂
