The Ring of Red 8th November.
Sunday was a beautiful day , Just right for the long ride up to Reading Services, then on to the M25 and the Ring of Red. I left Bristol at 10.30am in bright and clear conditions , little breeze, ideal travelling weather. Not too much traffic and 55mph was a nice cruising speed as I had loads of time. Stopped in Membury services for a break and refuel. On then to Reading. arriving about 11.45. Lena had already arrived and refuelled. A lot of bikes were already there and it wasn't long before another group of arrived. The numbers soon swelled to about 150 I would say. Time for coffee and a pasty or burger and chips. Reading has the most food outlets I have seen at a service station. With everything from Burger King to Greggs. Now was the time to go. Coffee cups deposited into bins and helmets on. Bikes fired up at 13.00 and we set off for the M25. Roadworks made the journey to the M25 slow and we got caught in traffic, allowing the other riders to disappear from view, so Lena and I were pretty much riding by ourselves. Some bikes were already heading west on the M4 as we approached the M25 at 1.25pm. which seemed strange as we were all supposed to be circulating at 1.30pm. perhaps they needed fuel and would return to the Ring after? We rode clockwise on the M25 for about half an hour and then, rather than going down the A1(M) as originally planned, Lena and I left the Ring and headed south on the A41. It wasn't long before the traffic ground to a halt. An accident ahead. Nothing was moving for a while so we rested at the side of the road and planned the next part of our journey. Once the traffic began moving again we set off again and it wasn't too long before we passed Watford, Barnet and Wembley , followed the A406 North Circular and arrived at the Ace Cafe. Other Red jacketed riders had obviously had the same idea as us and were already there with cups of coffee or a beer making good use of the opportunity to visit the Ace. The sun was still bright , but it wouldn't be long before it set . and then we would be homeward bound. We had some nice food, 6oz Burgers and chips with a half decent cup of coffee. Not too expensive either. Quick look in the shop and a purchase or two. Outside once more we wandered around and looked at the bikes and took some memento photos. Sure enough the sun was setting fast and after fueling at the services opposite Lena and I followed the North Circular southwards to Junction 2 of the M4 westbound is Junction 2 is not nice. Especially in the dark. The ramp was jam packed with London evening traffic and it seemed to take an age to get on to motorway proper. Passed junction 3 the traffic began to flow and it wasn't long till we were making good speed homewards. The evening fog around the rivers making it a bit chilly but we got back safe and sound after our 253 mile round trip.