Ride to Osterley Park on the 14th March

  After I got the ride dates mixed up, seven riders turned up in Kingston and some early sunshine. With the keen wind behind we fairly sped through Bushey Park and Hanwell to the Bedfont Lakes Country Park, where we had a short stop at the visitor centre. Clouding up by now, we went around the South of Heathrow and its warehouses to the East End of the runway where giant planes were revving up before takeoff. At the Northwest end of the airport a steady stream of giant planes were landing directly overhead. This is quite an experience despite the noise and pollution.
  After a short stop in Harmondsworth for a glimpse of the Great Barn it was the long, straight road through Sipson and Harlington dead into the cold wind with the clouds getting darker by the minute.
What felt like a grind took us through the built up area of Heston, and it was a relief to arrive at Osterley and the welcoming sight of a cosy cafe at 1230.
  Leaving the cafe was a shock to the system, as if anything, the air temperature had fallen, though by now the wind was behind as we headed towards Richmond Bridge via Isleworth, thence through the Park to Kingston Gate, where the sun reappeared. At the end of the ride by the A3 underpass, the distance was confirmed as exactly 30 miles. Thanks to Toni for back marking and making sure there were no flats or mechanicals.