London to Windsor 2026: Ride Report

Ride leader Nick reports...

Windsor Daytime Ride, which ended up in Maidenhead as no one else wanted us.

Just to make the daytime point, this was the hottest day of the year, with no breeze to freshen us. After a string of lame excuses late withdrawals, there were 16 of us, so we could keep together at a decent pace. One delay from a puncture, compounded by a helpfully lent tool which removed the valve core. Please, always tighten up the cores you pump your tyres.

Through the impoverished inner city of Kensington & Fulham over Hammersmith Bridge to Barnes and Richmond then to our first stop at Bushey Park. Deer were in hiding, so on along the river past Sunbury Waterworks to Shepperton, then through Laleham to salubrious Staines. I’d decided a second drink stop was advisable and found a little park kiosk, complete with plumbing. The final 20km took us past Windsor Castle, over Eton Bridge, then onto gravel (shock and horror). Across Monkey Island Bridge, into Bray (The Fat Duck wasn't available as a lunch stop) and round the back streets of Maidenhead to Jenners Cafe.

All seemed satisfied, an idea to be revisited.