Although the forecast was dry, Sunday started damp after the overnight rain as we made our way to King’s Square, and consequently, numbers were down. The leader of the faster-paced B ride, fresh from the southern coast of Spain, must have been disappointed with the weather and the turnout for he had only two companions for what became a bit of a mystery tour. He had found an old route on “Ride with GPS” and decided to follow it without looking where it went.
All went well through Upleadon and Ketford, but the lane from Ryton to Broom’s Green was a bit dicey with mud and overgrown hedges limiting access to what little clean surface remained. It proved to be a warm up for the B4024 into Mucky Marcle, which had obviously been the setting for Herefordshire’s “muckspreader of the year” competition. While all made it through, remaining wheel-side down, one rider was clearly shaken, and his bike was so clogged up that his front wheel would not stir.
The aroma as they passed the cider-mill testified that it was in full production mode then, after a brief visit to Marcle Ridge, the group went through Ledbury, and on to an excellent sausage roll and coffee in Colwall.
Return via Jubilee Drive and Welland was uneventful. However, the stiff Southerly wind did point out the problem with setting a ride calendar months in advance, and it led to what was probably our slowest ever traverse of Wainlodes Lane.
The B ride attracted six entrants and took the route to Maisemore and round the back of the college to Upleadon and Highleadon. We said good-bye to the last of the light rain here and the day gradually improved. Plenty of leaves on the roads meant careful descending, but little other debris until the lane to Clenchers Mill ford – always sandy at the best of times. All made it through or over the ford, which was running clear. The gremlins had come out in force by now: one rider snaped his rear derailer cable so a fix to single on the rear was applied, 14t being the best we could reach. Another had some gear issues, then finally third suffered a slow front deflation requiring a ‘pump and sprint’ strategy to coffee to effect a leisurely repair and a Bruce’s Bonus point. Despite arriving at The Pavillion rather behind time at 11.30, we were well ahead of the sport ride, for a change!
Following excellent refreshments the official route to lunch was overruled by the Captain (my apologies to the ride leader!) to tackle the Wytch, challenging for the rider stuck on a 14T sprocket but achieved with ease. Then to British Camp, Little Malvern Priory and the little gated lane to avoid Welland central. Lanes in various directions saw five make it to the appointed lunch stop at The Farmer’s Arms, Birtsmorton. Fine beers and cider were available, and consumed. Could this have been the last opportunity to sit outside in the autumn sunshine?
63 miles, 3,600′ ascent @ 15.7mph