The early start of 8.30 definitely showed us autumn has arrived: it was jolly cool! However, the day was promising warmer times ahead. Three riders set of and took in an early hill to get warm. However, descending for several miles from Woolridge Hill to lower Ashleworth cooled us all down again. The increasing headwind from the north ensured the plentiful supply of chilled air continued.
Spirits undampened we tackled the recently gravelled road from Tirley Cross to Chaceley, passing a stricken group of local cyclists, likely suffering a stone-inflicted deflation.
Onwards into Worcestershire at Bushley Green, then back to home county into Tewkesbury. The sun was up and out of the clouds but the air remained cool. A quick stretch on the old railway, then across the motorway, and again to emerge back in Worcestershire at Bredon’s Hardwick – a cunning loop by our leader to keep us guessing. Then the obvious way to Bredon and the edge of Eckington. Here the Combertons called and a long gentle drag followed by a couple of dips found us in the greater of the Combertons, in time to catch the church bells. Quintessentially English.
A deviation in the lesser village took us onto a new road for the Captain, much to his delight. It was then right onto the A44 for a short spell to the appointed café stop: Clive’s at Cropthorne. To be exact, Clive’s near Cropthorne. The driveway to the farm café was particularly gravelly. As a bonus, we were ahead of the 9am fast set, and our leader had timed it to perfection, 11am on the dot. 31 miles.
The return trip was equally cunning. Towards Elmley Castle, but then east and a diversion through Hinton on the Green. A tricky right hand turn onto a very busy and fast A46, then immediately left, an error prompted by the Captain’s eagerness to be off this road – sorry! A U-turn back to the beast to take the next left – no harm done – and back onto peaceful lanes. Phew. Villages fell to us: Aston Sommerville saw out Worcestershire, Wormington welcomed us back to Gloucestershire.
A tail-wind assisted zip south on the B4078 was pleasant and easy. Then another surprise: it was right before the junction with the Cheltenham 10 course. Interesting…the Captain was certain there was no ‘official’ road here. However, the gallant leader insisted all would be fine: and so it was. A gentle climb on tarmac, then a left into a field…the ‘road’ was now a track, maybe an abandoned road? Marked as a footpath, we encountered three gates. But there was some evidence of tarmac in places, so we advanced. The ‘road’ contoured around the edge of the hill, providing views south to Dixton and its hills. (PHOTO) and shortly we descended to a farmhouse and then an official road leading into Alderton. So there it is, another useful ‘short-cut’ to remember. Very do-able. Highly recommended.
Time was pressing so a change of lunch venue was implemented. The route took in Gretton, Gotherington and Bishop’s Cleve. Here we undertook a tour of the roads around the church – all very confusing! Eventually we exited the village (now the largest village in the country!) and on to Swindon Village via the back road, another delight, although we were slightly delayed at the level crossing. Our venue, the House in the Tree, was gained at 2.30pm.
Refreshed, we enjoyed what is now known as ‘Marie’s cut’, a good track from Staverton church (shopping opportunity) PHOTO) to Wood Lane at Down Hatherley.
A wonderful day out. 71 miles; two ‘off-tarmac’ sections; no mechanicals.