Winter Shorties 1/4: Bushy Park to Windsor Castle

This series of short winter rides runs on certain Saturdays and Sundays.

20-25miles depending on the weather. Hybrids, and road bikes, flat/clip-in pedals. Steady comfortable riding as a group, aiming to average around 20kph/12.5mph over the distance, or pace of the slowest.

SATURDAY: One-way ride to/around Ockham, ending at Horsley station. Aiming for a train around 1pm; to Surbiton, Stoneleigh, Clapham Junction (~46mins), London Waterloo. Café stop in Ripley (Nest, or Pinnocks ☕️)

SUNDAY: One-way ride to Windsor. Aiming for the 13:01/13:34 train from Windsor & Eton Riverside station to Richmond, Barnes, Putney, Clapham Junction (~48mins), London Waterloo. Cinnamon Café in Windsor.

SNOW! ☃️ Should the weather be particularly cold/windy/etc, we shall ride a 20-25mile circular route (or shorter) to suit. Ending back at The Pheasantry for (an optional) coffee/cake/ sandwich.

WHAT TO WEAR. Likely 4-5 layers! including 1-2 thin baselayers, a thermal long sleeve cycling jersey, a windproof shell. Buff (or two!), woolly/windproof cap. Gloves and likely glove liners. 2 layers of socks, overshoes. Yes, you may take 10mins to get dressed, and feel like a Michelin woman at the end of it! This is normal!!

BRING - Good bike lights (you shall be using them during this ride as the winter sun is low). Bring one more layer than you think you need (eg a thermal baselayer); pack this into a spare drink bottle or a larger saddlepack. Snacks, water/drink, spare inner tube. Lightweight café lock.

PREPARE YOUR BIKE - Do this with a few days to spare in case you need to take your bike to a bike shop to fix. Your bike must be clean and recently serviced. The chain should cleaned and lube'd. Check your tyres for imbedded flint / little stones and pick these out (these cause punctures); inflate to around 85psi. Care in this area will help ensure that we all have an enjoyable, trouble-free ride and avoid having to spend time on the side of the road fixing bikes in freezing temperatures! Thank you