After a false start without water bottle requiring a double back, the novice ride leader arrived at the Oxbode just in time to lead a group of 11 along Barton St and up Painswick road. A right turn at Matson and then via the lanes with their little ups and downs to Brookthorpe, Haresfield and Standish then to to Stonehouse.
Crossing the Bristol road and the river(s) Frome took us to Frocester and a left turn for the hill, which the leader nearly missed. Rough road surface and heavier than expected motor traffic at the bottom of the hill gave way to better conditions on the upper half. Frocester Hill was otherwise as expected, a hard but achievable climb, the fog becoming thick at the top and glasses becoming a liability.
At the top of the hill the captain spotted a car that had taken the plunge over the edge and down through the trees, so far down that the leader declined to get close enough on wobbly legs to see it.
The long gradual descent all the way to coffee only interrupted by a small dip at Kingscote and some muddy patches on the lane.
A senior member met us at the coffee stop where various snacks and meals were enjoyed.
After coffee five riders headed for Gloucester and the remaining seven set off for Stroud via Cherrington. A navigation ‘error’ by the leader had us travelling in entirely the wrong direction but, with help and guidance from the club captain this was recovered with only a few extra miles, all very worthwhile.
The weather was improving as we progressed but some headwind was encountered over Minchinhampton common. Butterrow hill took us down and at the bottom we eventually decided to follow the captain along London road into Stroud and The Ale House where a very pleasant log fire and the social secretary welcomed us.
Return to Gloucester was via Stonehouse and our outward route.
57 miles. No mechanicals.
Crossing the Bristol road and the river(s) Frome took us to Frocester and a left turn for the hill, which the leader nearly missed. Rough road surface and heavier than expected motor traffic at the bottom of the hill gave way to better conditions on the upper half. Frocester Hill was otherwise as expected, a hard but achievable climb, the fog becoming thick at the top and glasses becoming a liability.
At the top of the hill the captain spotted a car that had taken the plunge over the edge and down through the trees, so far down that the leader declined to get close enough on wobbly legs to see it.
The long gradual descent all the way to coffee only interrupted by a small dip at Kingscote and some muddy patches on the lane.
A senior member met us at the coffee stop where various snacks and meals were enjoyed.
After coffee five riders headed for Gloucester and the remaining seven set off for Stroud via Cherrington. A navigation ‘error’ by the leader had us travelling in entirely the wrong direction but, with help and guidance from the club captain this was recovered with only a few extra miles, all very worthwhile.
The weather was improving as we progressed but some headwind was encountered over Minchinhampton common. Butterrow hill took us down and at the bottom we eventually decided to follow the captain along London road into Stroud and The Ale House where a very pleasant log fire and the social secretary welcomed us.
Return to Gloucester was via Stonehouse and our outward route.
57 miles. No mechanicals.