A group of six tacked Leckhampton Hill, which was made harder as the top surface had been removed prior to resurfacing. As the gradient eased, we sought more pain by taking Hartley Lane. A lengthy stop at the top for clothing adjustments left some of us with overflowing pockets full of unwanted kit.
Before today, I would claim I have never seen a car on the lane from Severn Springs to Hilcot, but today, for some reason, it was a constant stream of cars, a level of traffic to which it was not suited. The final climb of the morning was Withington Woods, on which my Garmin reported a gradient of 22% (Ed. I don’t). While I would doubt the accuracy of this, it certainly felt easier when the reported gradient dropped to 13%. The descent of the Whiteway is usually a pleasure, but with the strong headwind, I was glad that Paul was in front of me!.
Maybe because of the promise of no more hills, the group swelled after coffee, and we all enjoyed a very mild, dry day with no mechanicals.
63 miles, 4,200′ ascent @ 13.8mph