Four set off for Coleford, I decided at last moment to turn ride to use cycle path to Highnam. From there, after a short debate, we decided against “dog alley”, turned left in Tibberton up the hill.
At the top, I mistakenly turned right for Huntley, where we crossed over the A40 at the traffic lights, and proceeded up Flaxley followed by a conventional route through the Forest to Park End, with a minor detour past the Rising Sun.
After coffee stop, one rider devised a cunning flat route to Newent, after another headed off into the woods for off-road adventure. There was a minor alarm approaching Newent, I was aware something was up, and after slowing down and stopping by the busy road, a car driver stated that a rider had “come off” his bike. However it turned out to be nothing more than a puncture (thorn).