Ten riders set off from the Square, heading to Cirencester after a night of yet more rain – and more rain at breakfast time before setting forth. However we were not troubled by further precipitation, and the cloudy morning eventually gave way to something more spring-like. The temperature was also warm for the time of year. After a couple of waits at traffic lights, we eventually broke free of the city environs and passed through Upton St Leonards to the familiar climb of Nut Hill; a road still very wet from the recent rain. The A46 was pleasantly quiet due to roadworks and we soon regrouped at the Cranham junction, joined by several riders from Cheltenham and County CC, who were also regrouping and on their way to Wotton-under-Edge. Down the Cranham dip we went, then right and steeply up past the Black Horse pub (a handwritten sign proudly announcing that it has been acquired by the local community) and through the car park to take advantage of a more favourable gradient onto the common – however I’d forgotten how rough this section was and some riders were forced to become pedestrians. Good practice for bike handling skills, I reckon…. Anyway, safely back on track (or road, rather) we continued climbing and heading east until we reached the Slad road, where one rider decided that he would take a slightly easier option than go via Caudle Green.
Crossing the road and heading into the Climperwell dip (nice surface now) we were slowed by a flood, fortunately not too deep, and then the climb back out. The road across the top was new to some, and rather pleasant, as was the scenic village of Caudle Green. Regrouping again, we descended into the depths then tackled the inevitable climb out – the hardest climb of the day, with a single OS arrow to deal with.Thence on to Winstone where we diverted to the church – not a dead end as advertised but a ‘white road’ that climbed steeply past some farm buildings and on back up to the minor road. The leader was very gratified to have provided the Captain with a previously unknown section, albeit a short one. From here we continued east alongside the busy dual carriageway and descended to the picturesque village of Duntisbourne Abbots, to continue along the valley towards our destination. Climbing away from the long ford (which we avoided by using the narrow path alongside) we greeted a man with a magnificent St Bernard dog, then rejoined the main valley road which was rather wet, gritty and strewn with branches etc. Surviving this and with an eye on the clock as it was now 11 am we descended through Stratton on the old road, then were held up by traffic lights again before penetrating the town and arriving at Café Fora at around 11:10, where several members including the tempo ride were already happily ensconced. 21 miles from the Square.
The Royal William being closed, we decided instead to head to the Jolly Brewmaster in Cheltenham so a small group headed up the Whiteway, enjoying a reasonable tailwind. Further up, we watched red kites circling and even saw one swoop and pluck a small rodent of some kind from the stubbly field then land, presumably to consume it. After the descent into Withington a small diversion offered itself which was taken by half the group – unfortunately resulting in two members going off course and heading for Compton Abdale. However, we waited and they eventually came into view having realised their error. From there on it was plain sailing to Dowdeswell and Charlton Kings and on towards the Tivoli area of Cheltenham.
TB