Billie Fleming Tribute Day 129 Stage 1 - Hayes-Maidenhead-Wokingham

This is a tribute ride to Billie Fleming, who died last year aged 100 and in 1938 set a world record, never broken, for the most miles cycled in a year by a woman. On 9th May 1938, her route included Hayes, Maidenhead and Wokingham, so these are our checkpoints. From Hayes we ride South through multi-cultural West London to the Bath Road, along which Billie might well have ridden. Passing Heathrow Airport we cross the M25 and M4 to NCN 61, over pastureland to the Jubilee River. Perhaps sighting herons or kites in the Dorney wetlands, we skirt the Olympic rowing lake to reach Maidenhead for lunch. This is 18 miles, and if you have had enough you can take the train back from here. The ride continues out of Maidenhead through bucolic countryside, with some gorgeous old houses and generally flat easy cycling. We can enjoy the home-made cakes at Dinton Pastures Country Park before arriving at Wokingham station for the journey home. You can leave the train at Feltham to return to Hayes, or Richmond for the North London Overground line. The fare from Wokingham to Richmond is £11.60. You need to be a competent cyclist, confident in traffic and ready for a full day's cycling. We shall stop in cafes for refreshments, as Billie did. The day before please check your bike over, pump up the tyres, check that the wheels turn freely and the brakes work. Bring a spare inner tube, money and water.