The 8.30am moderate ride assembled in good order and time to set off for a day out in the Cotswolds. The Captain leading, it was out of Gloucester via the Painswick road, passing the new school just before Upton. The six were all together onto the Nut Hill ascent where we had a slight delay for three horses and riders – one claiming to be a youngster, although we were unable to verify this. Giving them time to find a passing place, we continued, warning speeding motorists and one cyclist of the equine presence lower down. Hopefully they got the message…
Along to Fiddlers elbow it was clear that something was amiss with the atmosphere – it was not particularly clear. Anyway, we ventured further into the Cotswolds by way of Birdlip (high point at 963ft), Brimscombe and High Cross for the rough descent. The Colesbourne valley (the Churne) was not appealing, being very opaque with what was clearly smoke from a fire. It transpired that this was all the way from South Wales where there was a major moorland fire, the south-westerly wind bringing it over and leaving the smog in the valley. Fortunately we retained our height a bit further, the Captain changing the route to avoid the bad air – maybe an advantage of not being a slave to a pre-determined route? Instead we took the next turning to descend steeply to Rendcomb, where the air was free of smoke. A short but delightful and easy run to North Cerney for the next climb, up to the Whiteway. A quick consideration for the time and our destination, it was down to Calmsden – admiring a large hare in the field. And plenty of buzzards around, too, with the occasional Red Kite spotted.
So to Chedworth where the leader played another joker – a surprise route into the village and a right soon followed by a left – this to take in the fine railway structure that was crossing through the village on it’s way from Cheltenham to Cirencester: sadly the bridge is long gone. But the remains are still most impressive and were a surprise to most on the ride. As was the steep exit by the church to regain the Whiteway: a superfluous climb? No said the Captain, essential to appreciate the village! Climbing almost over before coffee, we passed the old airfield (WWII vintage) and a sizeable gun emplacement, again new to most.
The descent on the lane to Cassey Compton was not easy, with a poor surface and much gravel: not much tarmac in parts. A group of archers was noted – we dallied not, a moving target being so much harder to hit!
The appointed stop at the Chedworth Roman Villa was reached at 11.10, showing an 8.30start is a good idea for moderate rides. Malcolm T was already established after his solo ‘Billy no-mates’ off-road extravaganza. (His words, not mine!) Good food and drinks were consumed. 27 miles, 2,370ft climbing.
The heat was now building. MT set off for home, alone, up a track to attempt the old railway line; the rest set off back to Cassey Compton and the long steep climb over the top to view the crocodile at Compton Abdale. It was reassuring to see a good waterspout still gushing from the crocks mouth. Hard to believe this is a tributary of the Coln, from where we had just climbed. Check the map, people! Or is it just smoke and mirrors…
We took the ‘easy way out’ to climb gently to the A40 on the ridge. Crossing to Shipton Oliffe is easy here and has the advantage of an interesting descent (lacking in tarmac in parts) to take in an essential ford – not much water on this occasion. Again, hard to believe this is another tributary of the Coln river. Another climb to Syreford and we were down to four, the other two having departed for home. More horses and more hills to Whittington and then a long gentle and tarmac-disintegrating climb to our second high point, some 930ft on the Cotswold ridge. A magnificent section here as we started to descend, recently tarmacked and resplendent with fine old beech trees. The view over Cheltenham was distinctly smoky. Care on the descent, it’s just very steep: I call this Harp Hill, to take us to Hewletts Reservoir and a big new building site: not much in the way of social housing here. Then a fine drop on a good surface to the Hewletts Arms for refreshments in the shade. 38 miles, 3,580ft climbing.
The return home in the heat of the afternoon was a simple affair, taking in Leckhampton and Up Hatherley and thence to Churchdown via the ever-pleasing Cold Pool Lane. 50 or so miles. 3,800 ft climbing.