Today’s ride began on a sombre note, as the news that Rob Doman had passed away was shared. Rob, a popular and generous friend to many, had been on holiday, cycling of course, in Lanzarote and on Monday was found unresponsive by the road after a suspected heart attack. We took heart from the fact that he had been doing what he loved when his time came. The eight of us gathered (a poor attendance this week, but more of that later) took a moment to honour his memory before starting off.
We were quickly joined by Abu, who had missed news of the Tempo ride’s cancellation, and then by Jason. The weather forecast was not good, with a yellow warning of wind in place and rain forecast, so numbers were understandably down. Riders had taken precautions: most simply wrapped up well, but Abu and Jason took quite different approaches. Abu had deep section aero wheels – he was relying on his youthful quick reactions to control the bike – and chemical hand warmer pouches to beat the wind chill. Jason was astride his mountain bike, ensuring stability, and though he was wearing his new Gold Club jersey he was relying on the resulting workload to keep his legs warm in the first appearance this year of shorts.
There was some disagreement in the ranks as to the planned route, with its three hills, and sure enough a mutinous trio stayed in the valley when the main group, led out by the Club’s Hill Climb Champion, tackled the scarp slope of the Cotswolds. It raised the question as to whether a mutiny was a an actual mutiny if it included the Captain. Perhaps, since the President was leading the ride, it should rather be described as a coup?
Along the Calf Way, then, to Lypiatt Manor for a photo opportunity. Theo briefed us on the Manor’s history. It was built in the early 1700s and was until recently owned by Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. In the early part of the 20th century, it housed the accomplished harpsichord player Violet Gordon-Woodhouse who broke off an engagement when human sexuality was explained to her, then entered into a platonic marriage with Gordon Woodhouse. They were later joined in the Manor by William Barrington, Max Labouchere, and Dennis Tollemache. Together they were known as the Woodhouse circus. Rumours of the relationship between them all are not repeated here! The manor house is allegedly haunted by various ghosts, including the son of the manor’s original owner, Judge Cox, who reportedly hanged himself in one of the rooms.
Our passage having been slowed by the headwind and the history lesson, we decided to omit the pleasure of Butterow Hill, taking to the Frome valley and Selsley Hill to arrive on the dot of eleven o’clock at the café. Those who had eschewed the hills were already seated but still looked hungry. A large group arriving just before them had kept the kitchen busy, so our mutineers’ early arrival hadn’t rewarded them with quick service.
The forecast rain began while we ate and lasted through our wind assisted journeys home, but, being relatively warm and on our backs rather than our faces, it didn’t trouble us much.