It started out a bit dull but positively balmy and ended in sunshine! A perfect Autumnal day. The ride kept to the published schedule, destination Forest of Dean Heritage Centre at Soudley. Ten riders opted for this offering, so we set of with good pace along the A40 and A48 to Minsterworth, taking a left at the deceased pub – new road for many. The ride leader was over-enthusiastic in taking the next right, so a U-turn was required to regain the planned route. This produced some comments from the peloton!
After surprising an elderly local out for her quiet Sunday walk, we passed the church to rejoin the A48 for a mile or so, taking the 2nd right. This underused lane involved a level crossing, barriers down. It’s actually a request stop, so AliG, our train expert, took the duty to arrange for the barriers to be lifted – by way of pressing a call button. A short wait saw the barriers lifted and we were on our way again. A surprise left turn to Grange Court meant we encountered a rather muddy road lacking in secure surface, which had a few opting to walk through the mud. Some complaints were directed towards the ride leader, who was busy recording the mayhem!
Onwards to Northwood Green, where the locals were out to watch the ‘cattle run’: not quite as exciting as the running of the bulls in Pamplona! Our route took in the western bypass, which would avoid any encounter with the beasts. On rejoining the ‘main’ lane, the herd was seen to have been assembled and almost ready for the off – a close encounter, and those without ‘mud’guards were mightily relieved!
A short hop to the next junction, where the Cheltenham & County rudely passed us (they did say hello), and another joker was played: a left towards the Severn and Westbury-on-Severn; right back onto the A48 for the final time, right again and gently up to Flaxley, Green Bottom, Littledean and the delightful descent to Upper Soudley (yes, and a nice climb too). The final joker was played: At John W’s junction we went…straight across, then left – to encounter a badly parked car blocking the route. Carefully squeezing past, it was alongside the old railway to pop out just above the venue. On arrival it was very full – mainly with that Cheltenham lot. However, service was efficient and we were soon fed and watered. 20 miles – a bit short but enjoyable all the same.
The route home saw the usual split: most heading back, four onwards to lunch. The leader opted for the ‘Closed Road’ (barriered off) to Ruspridge – no problem for bikes on the weekend. A significant hole in the road was the issue, and with no traffic for several months the road was strewn with fallen vegetation. Wonderful to have no traffic for the mile or so; then to Drybrook, the gentle climb past the rugby ground and a fun descent to Mitcheldean – fun until we encountered a double decker bus on a narrow section in town: a bit squeaky for the leading riders, thank goodness for disc brakes! A fast descent to Longhope and the enchanting Velthouse lane to Blaisdon; then Huntley and another ‘Closed Road’ – clearly not – and an encounter with the Ross CC. A little jig on the edge of Newent, then to refreshments at the Cobblers.
Our final route was standard, to the Golden Valley, the Leadons and Hartpury college, followed a whip along the A417. Three opted for the cycle track to the city – where John had a wee incident at one of the gates, a misjudgement causing a bit of a disorderly foot down. No damage except to pride. 54 miles covered in the end.
TW