With the Captain leading it was billed as a hilly outing – and no-one was disappointed!
The route out took in the gentle climb along Painswick Road, and continued all the way to Painswick, the Queen of the Cotswolds, becoming markedly less gentle after the King’s Head at Upton.
A quick and pleasant descent into town was followed by a testing and technical section through the metropolis and down a precipitous descent with much moisture, to be followed, inevitably, by an invigorating ascent to Bull’s Cross. All riders took this in their stride and no walkers were observed. The descent to Slad and Stroud was its usual delight on a perfect surface.
A surprise left turn on the edge of town surprised some, and this took the riders to the Police station. As we had nothing to declare, a short cut through a car park popped us out just above the market hall. Here we said farewell to Simon and proceeded along the Golden Valley for a mile. Dipping down to our right to cross the Frome, the canal and the railway then presented the riders with the third climb of the ride: all the way up to Minchinhampton Common and The Bear on Rodborough.
Whilst the initial section of this ascent is quite steep, through the village, it then flattens out to a rather acceptable gradient – acceptable so long as you have not overdone the initial section! Passing the sign for Mount Vernon, the road presents a series of graceful curves, emerging at the aforementioned Bear.
Just beyond this famous hostelry we took a right, and worked our way around the edge of the common, through Amberly and Pinfarthings – new roads for some on the group. Splendid views were to be had to the west.
Re-emerging on the common, the leader selected a little used route through Box, pointing out the fine topiary that has been created in the little lanes. Then an interesting, water-strewn descent towards the valley and the Weighbridge Inn – and a final twist to swing right to take in the lane that eventually pops out in Nailsworth at the foot of the ‘W’. From here a short hop to the garden centre, arriving bang on 11am, just behind the AA riders but well ahead of the Sports group.