On a wet and windy Sunday morning the ride leader arrived at the square to be greeted by five others who had braved the conditions. One of them was Kat, who was joining us for the first time. We set off leaving Gloucester along London Road, heading towards Cheltenham. Just after passing Innsworth Technology Park, we turned left down the gravel track, known as Dry Meadow Lane, a new route for many of the group. Followed this through to the new houses at Innsworth where we crossed the new Centurion Road, and continued past the fishing ponds and into the new housing estate at Twigworth, where we joined the A38. Turning left at Norton and over Wainlodes Hill, to the end of the road where we turned left heading towards Tirley. A right turn was taken at the cross roads as we headed to Chaceley. Instead of turning at St John’s Church in Chaceley, the ride leader chose to continue straight, eventually coming out of the lane to meet the Corse Lawn Road to Upton. A quick zig zag across this road taking the group up Wad Lane towards the small village of Dunshill and then back onto to the main road for a short climb to the junction of the A438. Again, a further zig zag across the main road took us onto the road towards Upton on Severn, when we turned right for The Ramplings, Bushley Green and eventually into Bushley, before heading out and onto the Mythe Road. Across the River Severn at Mythe and down into Tewkesbury. Refreshments were taken at Café au Chocolat which gave us all an opportunity to dry out. Whilst enjoying the warmth of the cafe we were joined by Malcolm who had made his own way through the rain.
With the sun eventually starting to break through the clouds, four riders headed back to Gloucester via the A38 with the two remaining riders opting to add a few extra miles, headed out towards Bredon before returning towards Ashchurch and then home.
45 miles completed on a wet, windy Sunday.
DM