The first 8.30am ride of the year saw five riders braving the cool breeze and set off up Stroud Road. The ultimate destination was indeed Stroud, but the route was not direct! Reservoir Road and then through Matson. Here we lost our first rider, but at Upton we picked up another – back to five. Nut Hill and onwards to the Cranham turn – but ignoring this, we took the little used left turn just beyond the Portway junction. Steeply down, less steeply up. Our rider with high gears was well ahead of the pack, most impressive. The views south down the Painswick valley were quite superb.
Sheepscombe was gained, then up and around the church – steeper than I remembered here. This ‘did’ for another rider – he proceeded to Bulls Cross and was reunited later at coffee. Back to four.
The drag up to the Slad valley road was wind-free but the gradient was wearing. At the top another rider called it a day – to be fair he must have missed the note about coming out with plenty of low gears! Then there were three…
Next up, The Camp, then a taste of the cold headwind until we took the next left onto a small and better-protected lane: a delight. Views to the SE gave us a good sighting of the Ridgeway.
We shunned the steep descent / ascent at Calfway, instead opting for a new road (for the leader), cutting back to the Bisley road. And the headwind. One rider almost ended up in the ditch from a strong side-gust: that Storm Dave has a lot to answer for! A good recovery and on we went into Bisley, passing a well-named settlement, Windy Ridge.
Taking the ‘by-pass’, a surprise left turn towards Waterlane; then a failing road with much grass and limited tarmac entertained us and pleased one rider at least. A hidden turn at Hyde’s Bottom took us on a gradual descent to Bournes Green and Solomon’s Court. Here a left turn was too much to miss – flagged as ‘No Motors’, it was perfect… The track, for that is what it turned into, was suitable for walkers and intrepid cyclists: here be the adventure! A steep pitch with some tarmac soon had us back on a ‘road’ and into France Lynch. A brief pause here to take in the scenery – quite magnificent; and on our doorstep.
From here it was ever up to Middle Hill and Eastcombe before a speedy wind-assisted spin back to Bisley.
Time was pressing, despite the early start. Passing the springs in Bisley, around the church to pass the splendid Jayne’s Court – which pleased one rider!
Passing close to Purgatory, we took a left to descend very gently to visit Nether Lypiatt Manor – most impressive tulips, and the house is rather good too. Then a not at all gentle descent, positively precipitous in fact, on another ‘failed road’ to Brimscombe; then the undulating lane to Far Thrupp, avoiding the main A419 for as long as possible, to enter Stroud a touch after 11.15. Here we joined our two ‘abandoned’ riders and the ‘easy riders’ already well established in the appointed coffee stop. 29 miles. We will not mention the average speed!
Energy levels replenished, six of the group set off for the lunch stop, selected by the Treasurer: The Three Horseshoes, Frampton. We took the old railway out of town, towards Sainsbury’s. Then the grim climb to Selsey – why is this always a struggle? (answer: because it’s quite steep!) Middleyard, a small diversion to Leonard Stanley church and on to Frocester – another failing road! The road to Eastington was a breeze – and then another track from Cress Green to Churchend. Here the captain was obliged to undertake another ‘pump and hope’ on his front tyre. It had lasted from just before coffee, would he get home without incurring a Bruce’s Bonus point? The usual route, more or less, to Frampton via the ‘Three Bridges track at Wheatenhurst was our final bit of off-road adventure.
Refreshments were welcomed at the pub – shame the garden is still under renovation.
The final leg home was on the lane to Saul and Longney. Another pump-up was required here; and again at Stonebench; then a final burst of air on the Bristol Road saw the ride leader home with a fully deflated tyre. But critically, no point in the puncture competition: AliG’s lead remains intact.