Five set off from Kings Square for the vernal or spring equinox “faster” B ride (on the first day astronomical spring), with Mr C ably leading the group. The first part of the ride route was cleverly designed to avoid closed bridges, following warnings of such beforehand. There was a little bit of confusion at Bamfurlong with one rider not understanding the instructions but that was soon remedied.
So, it was on through Badgeworth, Shurdington and Leckhampton to the challenging ascent of Ham Hill where we saw another cyclist, minus bike, walking downhill searching for a lost member of her party. I hope they were reunited before the walker reached the foot of the climb as a second ascent of the hill, albeit on foot, beckoned. In fact, we saw many groups of cyclists out on the road; the spring sunshine was obviously enticing people out!
Onto Whittington (where we briefly saw the other “B” group) and Syreford – “watch out, gravel”! Just past the manor house at Sevenhampton we saw the elephants. What marvellous beasts, although a bit wooden (I believe); one has to look twice. A comment overhead then was that these are the static animals normally “grazing” at Sudeley Castle (author happy to be corrected).
Thence it was on via Roel Gate and Salters Hill – with someone shouting at the bottom that it was much easier coming down than going up – to coffee at the Hayle’s Fruit Farm shop and time for some chat and much needed sugar and coffee fixes. Our esteemed leader left for a dinner date, and another of the five wanted to get some more miles in his legs, so three set off for the return leg. After a discussion of which way to go. Mr W’s route home was adopted and that later changed to Mr S’s in Cheltenham after a turn was missed. Never mind, the adopted route home was fine. 48 miles. Total ascent 2,800 ft. Max elevation 1,235ft.
Opting for a more gentle ‘B’ ride to Hayles Fruit Farm, six riders set off under blue skies into a chilly easterly breeze.
Steering clear of the closed bridge near Badgeworth, the group negotiated an alternative route. Passing Gloucestershire Airport and winding through the back streets of Warden Hill, Kidnappers Lane brought us into more familiar territory. Taking over the pace the Captain set a comfortable clip until some legs weakend near the Dowdeswell reservoir summit.
Turning into Whittington provided a glimpse of the ascenders of Ham Hill – the “less gentle ‘B'” group – before we left them to their pleasures at Syreford Quarry, choosing the Park Lane ascent before avoiding horse boxes and cars on our way to the Brockhampton incline. Following the Hawling by-pass and the peak of Roel Gate we were soon at Salter’s Lane, having enjoyed the spectacular views along the ridge.
While one of us descended with some elan, most took the Salter’s Lane descent with greater caution. But as we regrouped on the Hayles Farm approach it was noted that caution had provided a punctual arrival.
The return route was a simple and straight-forward affair, having been well fed at the café. A swift ride into Winchcombe, aided by the NE tailwind, it was up to Cleeve Common via Langley Lane – far nicer than the main road. An excitingly fast descent on the perfect surface to Southam, then Prestbury and the eastern edge of Cheltenham. Our destination was the Jolly Brewmaster, often hard to locate but this time no problem. Fine ales were enjoyed.
The final leg home was slightly disappointing as the tailwind had fallen away. But overall the day had been bright and beautiful, so no complaints.
52 miles. No mechanicals.
Footnote: The word ‘equinox’ comes from, as you might have guessed, a Latin term. It means ‘equal night’ – aequus (equal) and nox (night). On the day of the equinox, the length of day and night is in principle exactly the same for the entire world. This phenomenon occurs because the Earth’s axis is perpendicular to the sun’s rays.