A tight group of nine set off into a stiff breeze, taking in the usual climb of Nut Hill and Fiddlers Elbow. At this point one rider decided to find a flatter route to Chedworth, so the remaining eight pressed on to Brimpsfield and enjoyed wonderful road surfaces to the top of Bubbs Hill. The only disruption was caused by two elderly cyclists passing us at pace near Highgate. Noting the electric assist, we contented ourselves.
Surfaces deteriorated from here and caution was demanded. Taking a little used lane we had a glorious descent into the valley at Rendcombe, thence to North Cerney and up through the village, again utilising the left hand lane to access the Whiteway. Here a good tailwind gave much needed assistance to the edge of the plateau. A cunning route on what appeared to be an abandoned road of some prior importance had us descending at pace to the valley of the Coln. For one member it was again a case of ‘pump and sprint’ to the coffee stop at Chedworth Roman Villa, where a fix and Bruce’s Bonus point awaited. Along with good food and coffee.
Running a wee bit late, the lunch crew took a curtailed route to the designated stop at The Jolly Brewmaster, Chelt: two serious climbs to access and exit Compton Abdale delighted all. The crocodile was in full spate, making a grand spectacle. Crossing the A40 with relative ease, it was then down to Syreford and Whittington for a final fling to Charlton Kings where a minor mechanical for the Treasurer caused a slight delay. No matter, we gained the pub ahead of any serious rain, although it had clearly been wet in town. We did opt to cape up on departing as the mizzle was dense and damp, although it cleared after a mile or so.
For the sports riders, it was a morning for Red Kite spotting in the Cotswolds. Whether that is because, like the stringed versions, they fly best in a stiff breeze, I cannot say, but several pairs were spotted at various points in our ride through the Cotswolds.
A stiff Southerly wind made for slow progress at several points across the tops, but we had a very enjoyable and scenic ride to Northleach, with the terraced cottages in Calmsden looking great in the sunshine. A good selection of climbs and descents kept the riders entertained, with little opportunity to form up into a structured group.
In Coln St Dennis, we met another cyclist asking for directions to Northleach. The junctions here can be confusing, indeed, there is a rumour that even the normally infallible “Sat-Nev” has malfunctioned here, which can result in five miles on the busy Fosse Way. However, our group assisted the lost rider, and we all successfully took the lane on to Northleach.
While the climbs were challenging, they were nothing to the challenge of consuming the enourmous piece of very tasty coffee and walnut cake in the Old Prison. All riders being brought up not to leave food on their plates completed this challenge successfully, although whether they enjoyed carrying their laden stomachs up out of Compton Abdale is less clear.
The rain held off all morning. We started feeling a few spots in Charlton Kings, but decided it was too close to home to cape up. In the end, it didn’t amount to much, although apparently it had been wet in Gloucester most of the morning.