This week’s WoW ride consisted entirely of Willesde-dents (Willesden residents). They are a bit of a rare species with in the club, so a 100% Willesde-dent peloton was quite a land mark…. shame it was only a two-up! Many of the regular WoW riders were either abroad or had other commitments for this Wednesday, but just as well, as the weather forecast was a bit dodgy . The night before I set about examining the rain radar forecast in micro-detail. If I looked carefully at the right angle and in the right light I could just about see a small WoW friendly weather window between 10am and 1:30pm. That looked time enough for a no-nonsense 55km ride from Beaconsfield to Velolife at Warren Row.
One unknown along the route was the newly closed Cookham Bridge. I am pleased to say we were efficiently escorted through the road works by Traffic Marshals, who were keeping a good look out for approaching cyclists and walkers. Crossing the bridge on foot gave us time to admire the river, plus the approach roads on both sides of the bridge were eerily quiet. Something I have not experienced in some 35 years of crossing this bridge.
Our WoW cafe stops are deliberately slow-ciable, giving us time for chat and even a second coffee. However today the cafe stop needed to be brief, but not so brief that we didn’t have time for their delicious coffee and cake.
Back on the bikes and it was off home via White Waltham, Cookham and Harvest Hill. We even explored a new route back through Beaconsfield to avoid THAT climb on the A40! We were back at the start by 1:30pm and bone dry-ish. A no point were rain capes, donned, unfurled or even moistened, despite the bruise coloured clouds. It was a satisfying ride and it was great to get some more miles in our legs in readiness for the WCC’s appearance on the “Emitremmus Audax” to be held on Sunday, 29th October.
Hopefully the weather will give us another dry window for a ride next Wednesday. If you would like to added to the WoW WhatsApp group then drop me an email at willesdencyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk and I will send you a QR code.
Potential new Willesden CC members would be very welcome.
See you next WoW’s Day, regards “Miles Back”
The Willesden CC Peloton en masse at Velolife.
