The intention was to have separate Fast and Tempo rides this week, but despite several gaps appearing between Brookthorpe and Stonehouse the terrain wasn’t difficult enough for a permanent split.
Things settled down a bit on the way to Frocester, and we rode as a single (if rather straggly) group until Cam Pitch blew everything apart. After regrouping in Stinchcombe, progress to Damery was hindered by a peculiar convoy of old Land Rovers and vintage tractors which was pottering along at about 15 mph. We eventually overtook them all before the horrible little climb up to Tortworth.
The ‘Wacky Races’ style of riding settled down from there, and from Layhill, through Tytherington, to Thornbury we actually looked like we knew what we were doing – two neat rows and sharing the work on the front.
Coffee #1 was pretty busy, but they run a tight ship and we all got served promptly.
The lanes back through Hill, Berkeley, and Halmore are a bit narrow for riding a chain gang, so we settled in to a more easygoing chatty group ride, enjoying the glimpses of sunshine and the increasing tailwind. A brief pause for saddle adjustment was the nearest we came to a mechanical.
Arriving at the A38 we settled in to a nice group again which even held together on the way up Claypits. It did get a bit Furious after that and the group fractured as we neared home and riders went their separate ways.
A very enjoyable group ride in the end, 60 miles at around 17.5 mph with about 2,400 ft of climbing.
SP