Eight o’clock saw the Vice Captain lead ten riders from King’s Square. At least two, one being a guest from Texas, had preannounced their intention to do a shorter ride, but after the Hors Category Ham Hill to nearly 250m and the Cat 1 Brockhampton to 280m, only six chose to continue on the full hundred mile route.
The other five went to Northleach’s Old Prison for morning coffee, and were alarmed to find it closed! Fortunately they only needed to wait a few minutes for the staff to open up. Less fortunately, they did not spend that time checking the bikes and it was only after their coffee and cake that a puncture was discovered in Pete’s rear tyre (and spare tube!). Once they’d recovered from that setback a return through the Yarnworth valley, Withington, and Charlton Kings was enjoyed.
More punishing climbs took the main group to coffee at Batsford Arboretum. After coffee, the terrain was less vicious, and the views spectacular as we wove down the Evenlode Valley and up the Windrush to a stop in Northleach, losing one rider in the process. He turned off at Foxcote, presumably to return via Turkdean. From Northleach, there was a further split, with a rider choosing the direct but dangerous A40, another the sensible route back via Andoversford, and the remaining three continuing via Chedworth and the Daneway for a very satisfying 100 miles.
Stats were 100 miles, 6,400′ @ 15mph