Dawn’s bright and sunny pink-tinged sky had given way to overcast by the time four riders gathered for an 8 a.m. start in Kings Square. First glimpses of a shrouded Forest from Tibberton added chill to the already fresh breeze as Birdwood sped beneath our wheels. Passing through Flaxley, Littledean and Soudley provided little change, though once Parkend had been left behind the more serious inclines that led from there to Bream and St Briavels provided some body warmth.
Opting then for a more familiar descent – to him, anyway – our leader then chose the Hart Hill and Brockweir route down to the Wye from the Chepstow main road. Arriving at the Railway Station cafe at 10:40 we were greeted by the luxury of being the whole queue. Sitting down to our food, the sun came out: briefly. At that point the pacier 9.00 a.m. riders began to catch us up and join the queue.
Taking advantage of our early arrival and prompt service, we four set off again, choosing the main road to Chepstow over more scenic options. Hanging on the captain’s generous wheel while viewing rock-climbing exploits, coffee legs were stretched. Then the descent to Chepstow’s bonus bumps gave way to Emma’s first crossing of the old Severn Bridge, into a freshening headwind.
But as we turned towards Littleton on Severn the wind began to help more. Passing The White Hart and then The Anchor, we had almost reached our next scheduled stop when the first lone breakaway from the main peloton – Justin – breezed past. We soon found him biting into his roll with cider chaser at The Salutation. There we were joined by the representatives of the AA ride for the return to Gloucester via Slimbridge and Longley. A grand day out.
81 miles @ 13.6 mph