Phoenix Green - Ealing & back - 30th September
79.99 miles
Tm 5.48
Av 13.9mph
Met the GMV crew for Friday evening drinks in Ealing. No work today so planned two rides separated by 4 hours gap, a couple of drinks and a large re-fuel. The way out, though hot, was at a steady pace and much of it spent in the shade of leafy suburbia. Night-time return on a different route home. Very dark roads near Chobham but the stars were bright. Felt strong both ways.
Day off Saturday methinks!
Once clear of the A30 and Bagshot, the camera comes out for some of the prettier bits of Surrey and Berks.
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| Windlesham |
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| Towers of Windlesham |
Route here fairly flat but include a big downhill with great views from Preist Hill, North of Englefield Green.
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| Englefield Green |
Nice to see Carter's Steam Fair still doing the rounds. Fond memories of taking the kids to this fair on Hersham Green when we lived in East Molesey.
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| Carter's Steam Fair on Englefield Green |
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| Windsor Castle ahead |
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| Castle Gatehouse - Windsor |
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| Thames near Datchet |
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At West Drayton the route continues for the last ten miles or so down the Grand Union Canal, allowing the chance to escape the traffic. The Towpath surface is mostly in good nick and amazingly deserted at this time.
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| Joining the G.U. Canal |
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| Nestle Factory - Hayes |
I used to work near here and the place is surrounded by a very recognisable odour, bitter and metallic, the smell you get if you stick your head into a large tin of Nescafe Instant Coffee!
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| Swan's Way - Hayes' quiet canal towpath |
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| Boat yard with Sri Guru Singh Sabha temple, Southall, in the background |
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| Nearly there - Hanwell Locks with Ealing Hospital in the distance |
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| Hanwell Locks |
No pics for the return trip by night.
The Route
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