Gatwick Airport might seem like an unusual destination for a bike ride especially when you're not flying anywhere, but this occasion was to see my mother-in-law safely dispatched on a flight to Australia. Her transit to the airport was more conventional, by car with Alice, stopping off for a visit to Wisley Gardens. It was the garden visit that prompted Alice to suggest that I might like to spend the day cycling instead, if only all choices in life were this easy.
The first part of the trip followed NCN 4 through Maidenhead and onto Windsor crossing the Thames at Bray.
I followed the route past Dorney Lake Park and Eaton Wick, Windsor Castle appearing in view as I approached from the West.
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| Windsor Castle |
I took a short break in Windsor before heading South on NCN 4 through Windsor Great Park catching a glimpse of this young stag.
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| Great Windsor Park |
Heading East along NCN 4 past the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede and Runnymede Park
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| Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede
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| Coopers Hill Slopes - Runnymede Park |
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| NCN 4 through Runnymede Park |
Leaving NCN 4 at Chertsey I headed South picking up the quiet lanes of the Surrey Cycleway
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| Staple lane - Surrey Cycleway |
and then the very muddy tracks of NCN 22 at Shere
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| NCN22 - Shere |
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| St James's Church at Abinger - Surrey |
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| Leith Hill - Abinger Road |
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| Mosses Wood - Abinger Road |
It had been another fascinating ride and another example of how even the most mundane of destinations, with some careful route planning, can create some great cycle touring opportunities!
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| North Terminal - Gatwick Airport |
Wow! That looks like a very nice ride, with some stunning scenery.
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