Today’s steady ride was designated as Retro with riders encouraged to don older jerseys or ride vintage bikes. John W took the award for best effort with his immaculate Italian steed, a brand named after a group of four gamblers.
Twelve riders departed the square following the leader who had chosen not to publish a route so as to keep everyone guessing. Leaving Gloucester via the Barbican and crossing the narrow bridge onto Alney Island and out onto the cycle path was a new departure plan that enabled us to easily navigate the Over Bridge works. After taking the path under the bridge we headed out on the trail from Over Farm to Highnam where a mudguardless rider decided to head back to avoid forecasted rain. The Captain enquired if we were using Whitehall Lane and the leader chose to take said lane instead of the planned Buttermilk Lane therefore avoiding some main road.
Following a route through the lanes of Bulley, Ley and Northwood Green, where a couple of riders chose to turn back, we turned toward Blaisdon before joining the B4136 via Velthouse Lane (terrible road surface) without incident. A number of riders including this leader muttered about being tired and this wasn’t helped by the tiresome drag to Mitcheldean. After the handy cut through to again avoid a section of main road we headed toward the A40 at Lea and then left to Pontshill. A short sharp rise caught a few riders out with incorrect gear selection with one suffering a chain off incident as cars were passing. Luckily, all was ok and we were soon underway again. Back on quiet lanes we made our way to Coughton corner before a left turn through Walford. At this point the leader was suffering with back pain and had dropped back a bit necessitating a shout to a couple of riders who were about to whizz by the turn over Kerne Bridge. Brakes applied, we all crossed the bridge, which affords a magnificent view of Goodrich Castle, and a few yards later we arrived at Hen & Dot’s for much appreciated refreshments. After some discussion about hills and rain, the group decided to head back via Newent.
Based on WhatsApp postings, most got home with only fleeting encounters with rain.