Given the excellent spring weather over the last few days, and the inevitable downturn in its prospects starting from today, it was pleasing to see six riders for what I had expected to be a lonely B ride to Stroud, given that the majority of likely takers were enjoying themselves on the spring tour to Abergavenny. Within the flock was a new member who had experience of this level of cycling before so “all good” then.
We set off just behind the Tempo group down Eastgate Street, and shadowed them until we crossed the Eastern Avenue roundabout, thereafter never to be seen again. Along the Painswick Road we travelled with everyone in good spirits and birds singing, although the slight south westerly wind did seem to “bite a bit”. Turning left along Birchall Lane into Upton St. Leonards we turned right at the church along Bondend Road and then right againto navigate our first climb, up Nut Hill.
Negotiating the junction at the top of the hill is always tricky and the “look outs” from the stronger riders ensured we all made it safely onto the Painswick Road. The usual effort was made to get to the left-hand turn at Buckholt Road where we briefly regrouped, to take on our next ascent up Buckholt Road (and not down into Cranham to climb back out).
By this time one rider had decided to shorten his ride and we wished him farewell on his return home. The remainder of us turned right and headed down the B4070 to the Foston’s Ash Inn, turning left and then dropping down to Whiteway. A few spots of rain briefly appeared. However this was short lived and we stayed dry along the lane to Miserden, where another rider had to leave us. Wishing him our goodbyes’ the remainder of us enjoyed the sun briefly breaking through as we dropped down to Sapperton where we negotiated our next climb, turning sharp right through Frampton Mansell, and out up to the A419.
Our timekeeping seemed to be OK so we kept to our published route, keeping left at the large island to cycle along Cirencester Road. One rider came to the front and “put us to the sword” along the road until we took a right turn through Burleigh “he was obviously saving himself” all day. Dropping down to Brimscombe was a welcome reprieve and at the lights we turned left along the A419 with the sun coming out to greet us all the way to our scheduled coffee stop at the Lounge in Stroud.
On our return there was a brief proposal of “going up Slad” but the prospect of rain soon put paid to that idea, and we took the easy route back to Gloucester through Stonehouse.
Yet another great Sunday ride with great company. Only winning the lottery could be better.