A very cold morning for April: 0 degrees Celsius and the possibility of ice. This so concerned the leader that he came down to the Square to advise that he was declining to ride and recommended keeping to the main roads to start with. We found a volunteer to lead and seven set off on the A417. The roads proved quite dry, and there were no signs of any ice, black or white. At Staunton the B4208 was taken through Pendock and on across Castlemorton Common. Although no ice was encountered it was still very cold as the group pressed on to Hanley Swan where we took to the lanes to Clive’s Fruit Farm. There were new cycle stands installed, a row of fencing on which you hooked the handle bars or seat over. They were excellent. The only problem was that two bikes were already secured there, and when bumped their alarms sounded, really quite loudly! Nobody came but it was a good demonstration of the devices which are built into front lights. We met the owners inside to explain the commotion.
After coffee the group split in two with one group returning to Gloucester and the other making a loop round Croome. It was noted that one rider’s saddle was at a crazy angle so a stop was made to remedy it. This was a great success and allowed her to go even faster. Just before Bredon we met the Captain who had ventured out into what was now an ice free world and at the Cross Keys at Bredon’s Hardwicke we were joined by two other independent spirits: perfect timing. This was the first visit to this quirky pub and it was like a step back in time – a real pub, no food just good beer and company. We sat in the sheltered garden in warm sunshine but as soon as cloud cover intervened we went inside as it was still very cold.
The ride back to Gloucester saw the end of 60 miles on one of the coldest days I have ever ridden, particularly for the time of year.