The Met Office having declared a State of Emergency (or at east a Yellow Warning of wind), prudence led to the Club’s rides being cancelled today but as the morn looked bright and clear I decided there was a good opportunity for a ride and ignored the cancellation notice.
Over Farm’s flags were flying over their “Christmas trees for sale” signage and as I turned toward Minsterworth it was obvious why: my 72” gear was hard work into the SW wind. Sufficiently hard indeed that I could not resist turning out of it into Oakle Street as the skies darkened. A rain jacket was needed for Bulley Lane, then the mudguards for a short but fortunately shallow flood below Collier’s farm. With the rain easing and the sun shining I chose to carry on west to Huntley and onward to Newent but was thwarted at Hownhall. Here a “Deep Flood” warning was in operation and, to emphasise the risk, a collection of car number plates hinted at those which had failed to make the passage. Having only just dried out bike, bearings, and boots from a crossing of the Leadon on Thursday I decided discretion was today the better part of valour and turned east to enjoy a back wind home via Highleadon.
Surprisingly, in the circumstances, the Severn was well within its banks and even Alney Island’s cycle path had but a few puddles left to remind one of recent rain. From there it was an easy run to the Gala Club to join the others for mince pies. The meet had an excellent attendance and it was a pleasure to see members who did not normally join the Sunday rides, as well as several who had, like me, thought the day too nice to miss and ridden or run to the Clubroom.
Ali G has clearly put his days as Club Treasurer behind him for he used Vice-Presidential prerogative to authorise payment for coffee wih the mince pies. The present Treasurer arrived a little later and took the expense in good grace. The Spirit of Christmas is in the air!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my readers,
Malcolm Taylor, President.
Pictures from the Gala Club and other rides this quarter are in the gallery below.
