It would be fair to say that this ride was NOT uneventful……
Arriving at the square at 08:55 in the pouring rain I feared that there would be no one there, however I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was quite a reasonable number of riders who had braved the rain. I met two new riders who introduced themselves who were interested in the Newent ride, along with five other seasoned riders. At this point I just wish to highlight (it will become pertinent later) that I had downloaded a route to my daughter’s spare phone to ensure I did not get lost along the way!!
We made our way out of the city on to the A40 and turned up onto the cycleway to Over farm. As we got to the opening at Oakridge, turning right there was an incident (not serious) with one of the new riders who decided to cut short the rider and return home. Turning left at the Highnam post office, I realized that I had not set up the phone correctly as the screen kept on closing down preventing me from following the route. I had to stop and remedy this. Turning right onto the B4214 we continued until we turned right on the Gloucester Road, and then right again (after first passing it) on Park Road to Hartpury. When we got to the Corsend Road fork we turned left, along the Newent loop route, following the route up to the Hethelpit Cross and straight over the A417. It would be fair to mention at this time that the satellite signal was not as strong as I would like, giving the phone fairly arbitrary readings of our location. We carried on along Mill Lane to the Gadfield Elm junction turning left staying on Mill Lane, and at the next junction I (yet again) needed to review the route. However, I managed to continue along the correct route (Mill Lane) turning right at Chartist Lane, and then left on the Pendock Road. Turning left again at the A417 and first right on Playley Green the supposedly OK spare phone’s battery goes dead, I have no access to my route……..
An overwhelming feature of this club in the support and camaraderie you get from all members and although quite understandably there was a salvo of barracking this was all in good humour (I may add) and the more seasoned club members chipped in to assist us in following “a mystery route to the coffee stop at Roses”. We meandered along the lanes for a while (where one of the riders deviated to go home) and as if it was always part of the plan, we met Toby coming in the opposite direction, who took pity on us and steered us toward the B4215 and safely on to Roses.
Neville was already at the garden centre and shortly afterward Daryl and Tesh arrived. The remaining new member was escorted back to Gloucester Town centre, seemingly happy with his initial outing.
From Roses, three opted for a loop ride to lunch, the rain having ceased. A zip to the edge of Dymock, over the M50, and right on a little used lane that took us eventually back over the M50 at Ryton. A surprise left swing back over the motorway and into Bromesberrow Heath. Two more tight right handers led us to what turned out to be a dead end. Not discouraged and spotting a track, the Captain sallied on. The track was narrow and may have turned into a footpath as it squeezed between the motorway and the sand pit. We thought of the President, who would have appreciated this section. A short and perfectly rideable climb took us to the road and tarmac. (see photo)
Decisions: making it up, the group hooked left and onto the A417, now clear of speeding racers from the morning’s TT event, and on to Bromesberrow, then to Eggs Tump, under the M50 (for a change) and Pendock – out of Gloucestershire at last! A newly surfaced lane to Eldersfield was navigated with care; then onto the Corse road and into a headwind – and some light rain. Finally, a diversion to Wickridge Street and Ashleworth soon had the riders at Hartpury and the Royal Exchange for a well earned refreshment.
The only mechanical was on the return to Gloucester via the Sustrans route 41, where something engaged with the Captain’s front mudguard and caused a catastrophic failure. (photo) No damage to rider aside from financial!
