With the forecast for rain at 11:00, the four of us who would normally ride the sports ride opted to join the training ride, with the hope of getting back before getting too wet. We set off on a contrived route through the suburbs of Cheltenham, before eventually breaking into countryside around Gotherington. Alstone lane has been resurfaced, and was quite a different experience from its previous poor surface. Turning North, we gained a strong tailwind towards Wormington, which resulted in a fast pace for a couple of miles. I think it was just me that thought “We will pay for this later”. I was right!
Its not uncommon for motorists to feel the need to shout something at cyclists as they pass. While this is often un-publishable, the shout of “Here baldy, where’s your helmet” hit the mark with the target, while amusing the rest of us.
Two riders were unlucky enough to puncture, but the peleton moved on a-pace, with those of us at the back unwilling to loose a wheel. However, as the ride went on, the group naturally fractured, and a group of around half-a-dozen back markers worked well together into the wind back from Stanton.
The ascent of Cleeve Hill obviously fractured the groups further, but all riders re-grouped and caped up at the golf course, as this marked the end of the good weather. We had a good soaking on the descent, which was taken cautiously. Those who would normally ride on the club ride remarked that at least we weren’t sat in The Roses Cafe in Newent soaked through. Feeling like a drowned rat has become a common theme of rides recently, but the option of coffee a couple of miles from home, while cold and fripping wet didn’t appeal, so I declined the coffee stop and went straight home for a warm shower.
55 miles, 2,400′ ascent @16.9mph