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2nd Leg - London to Reading

The second leg of the Clancy 40th Anniversary Bike Ride between the London and Reading Office took place on Sunday 22nd April 2012.

With bright blue skies [on the same day as the London Marathon] the intrepid team comprising Jackie, Simon, Satpal and Sukh started from Sardinia House at about 08:30am.

[Start]

 

 

 

 

Soon we were negotiating the tricky streets, dodging the road closures, diversions and free-wheeling down Bus Lanes heading West , and taking in some of the wonderful sights of London

[4 miles]

 

 

 

 

And eventually to Heathrow and a rendezvous with the Reading team [Peter, his wife Isobel and Darryl] who had earlier started from Hayes & Harlington Station – And the first sighting of Darryl’s Chopper!!.

  

[17 miles]

(Peter had of course already completed the advance run between London and Hayes on Friday evening – on his Brompton!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

At this point we said cherio to Satpal and a team of 6 riders headed West on the A4 towards the Berkshire countryside. Our next stopping point near Colnbrook was carefully selected– by the boys! (A Gentlemen’s Club)

[21 miles ]

 

 

 

 

 

On to Datchet, Slough and Windsor with a splendid view of the Castle. Rumour has it that a Royal Standard was seen being waved at us from one of the towers (but we cannot verify this)!

  

  

Through the countryside...

[28 miles]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past Eton Rowing Club...ok ya...

  

And eventually into Maidenhead.

At this point the weather decided that it had been far too kind to us so far – and the heavens opened-up!

Darryl who had been doing exceptionally well decided, quite sensibly, that the next short stage which included the infamous ‘bump’ known as Knowl Hill may just be a bit too much for his little Chopper so he joined the support team until the next meeting point.

We trudged through the countryside and up Knowl Hill with streams pouring down its narrow forestry paths – for a rather damp view from one of the highest points in Buckinghamshire.

 

 

 

 

 

It was downhill from there (well sort of) in Reading and a welcome break amongst the swans on the River Thames – and the sun reappeared!

  

[46 miles]

With Darryl rejoining the group with his now famous Chopper, which attracted more attention than the swans, the team of 6 riders continued on the final leg towards Tilehurst – but we were not done yet, there were a few final surprises in store!

The Thames path would normally be relatively uneventful but bizarrely about a couple of miles out of Reading the quick release on the rear wheel Sukh’s bike became undone and the wheel almost came off ! A quick bit of retightening sorted that – in fact the gears worked better after that for some reason!?

 

One final effort up Norcott Hill towards School Road  –  but wait... disaster! - the left pedal on our celebrity bike - The Chopper - sheared off!!

Not wanting to be put off by a mere bit of mechanical failure and in true engineering spirit, Darryl simply hooked it back on to the bits of lug that were left intact and onward to the top of the Hill.

 

 

 

A bit of light pedalling along School Road saw the team finally arriving at our destination - The Reading Office!! – to be greeted by the support team comprising Alice from the London Office, Nick (Jackie’ s partner) and also Reading Office staff (Heather and Stuart) together with Darryl’s wife and son, George.

An excellent effort by all!!...........Over to the Reading to Birmingham Team!

[54 miles]

 

 

The Riders: Darryl Ward, Simon Clifford, Jackie Turrell, Peter Karabin, Isobel Karabin, Sukh Chana, Satpal Sagoo.
The Support Team: Alice Pattenden and Nick Kay
 

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