A much improved forecast meant a good turnout in the square this week (for January), and six set off on the Tempo ride. Though bright and dry it was sufficiently chilly for a spectrum of non-club-kit jackets to be on display, which at least makes it easy to refer to people without using their names.
The climb from Upton to Painswick Beacon warmed everyone up, and was sufficiently taxing for an off-form Agent Orange to call it a day and return home via the A46.
The climb through Cranham is considerably improved by the recent resurfacing, at last one can concentrate on grinding up the hill without having to slalom round the potholes as well. Even so it was enough for Blue Peter (not his real name) to decide that a gentle return via Slad was in order. We also lost The Man In Black, for whom the pace was a little slow and he opted to push on, forsaking the coffee stop and Dancey Trophy point.
That left Reverend Green, Colonel White and Captain Scarlet to negotiate The Daneway, Minchinhampton, The W, and the slog up through Horsely to Tinkley Gate, where refreshments were taken at the disgracefully late time of 11:40.
We made up time on the way home, with a whizz down Frocester Hill followed by a blast along the river through Frampton and Epney. By the end it was almost warm and a little winter sunshine cheered us up immensely.
48 miles, 3,343 ft, 13.9 mph
SP.