On a cold gloomy overcast day fifteen riders including Alexis and Michael, fresh from the introductory rides, left Kings Square via a circuitous route to avoid London Road roadworks en route to Tewkesbury. A meander through the Twigworth estate took the group to the A38 and a quick left turn to Wallsworth Hall and on to Sandhurst Lane, all well signposted as there was an event on in Nature in Art.
Newcomers were introduced to the steep descent of Wainlodes Hill and enjoyed it. The Captain left us just before Tirley and the group continued to Hasfield where a diversion to get the the miles in meant climbing Hill View complete with one arrow. The reward was a long descent to Forthampton and Bushley Green where we were accompanied by a buzzard piloting the way.
Café au Chocolat made us very welcome and we had the upstairs to ourselves.
Some went back to Gloucester but the lunch group went via Northway and encountered the closed road that Jonathon had warned us about. A local told us of a long way round which was actually quite pleasant but involved telephone calls to the signal box to safely cross the unmanned level crossing. The leader enjoyed this railway involvement.
Deerhurst and Apperley soon took us to the warm log burners of the Haw Bridge Inn and the equally warm welcome from the landlady.
We were joined by Tesh and Colin, recovering from a knee op. The return took us up Wainlodes Hill, which Colin amazingly climbed – a magnificent effort. I do hope he is none the worse for it tonight.
A grand ride, but would have been better with some sunshine to light the autumnal leaves.
51 miles
AG