Only 7 members were takers for my hilly ride this morning; however a couple had decided to remain home after feeling the onset of colds or similar. Jack said he would soon turn back and we lost him somewhere on the three inclines on the main road up to Painswick Beacon. After waiting a little while we decided to continue, along Sevenleaze Lane (surprisingly largely free of debris and gravel, and with a nice surface) to Edge where the road along Scottsquar Hill was rather a drag upwards. At the junction with the Haresfield Beacon road we then lost Toby who had to turn back for a prior engagement, so we were down to 5 intrepid souls. Heading down to Whiteshill caused some concern I believe (as it is a monster descent) but we did not drop too much before turning right on the Ruscombe road and then around the contours (with some small ups and downs) through the village – very picturesque with great views too. Fortunately although the roads were rather damp the surface is really good and the dullness of the day was not spoiling the views too much. We then forked right up a steep section onto the lane to Randwick, with more great views across the valley to Selsley. It was at this point that I was slightly concerned, looking at the height of the church above the valley! But stuck to the plan…
So we descended from Randwick towards Cashes Green and peeled off left along Humphries End to emerge by the Old Crown at Park End/Paganhill. From there it was an easy descent down to cross the canal and pass Sainsbury’s, then cries of dismay as we turned left off the roundabout to take the climb up to Selsley Common. Fortunately we did not go all the way to the top of the common, taking the first right to the village, but that was still a surprisingly steep ramp…. however we made it without becoming pedestrians and proceeded through Middleyard and Leonard Stanley where we were surprised to see the A ride heading the way we had just come, aiming for the café in Stroud.
A few flatter miles were then enjoyed until we started climbing steadily out of Coaley and up to Ashmead Green, where the road was closed and we could not get through as a lorry was being used as a very effective road block. So we had to backtrack and descent to Cam, then back along past St George’s church, not at all looking forward to the climb back up to the main Dursley road but saved by Jim who knew a sneaky back way through the new estate (Lister Road) to join what would have been our original route at the bottom of Drake’s Lane and up to the Bank Café. 23 miles from the Square and arriving around 11:15; the other B group were already there but the café was rather less busy than usual – and very welcome!