6, including newbie Lucy, set out on a lovely ride to The Woodshed, Eastnor.
Using the Highnam bike route got us off the busy A40 for a bit. At the end Theo decided to show me the non- hill bit through the Estate. Unfortunately, my Wahoo did not like it one little bit- turn around immediately, you’re off route!! Whitehall Lane was reached and was the preferred cut through to Tibberton. We made our way through the quiet lanes to Kent’s Green and then to the edge of Newent. At this point we skirted the lanes to work our way round the Arboretum but not before no-one claimed to see me indicate a left and Maz was left finding out that you can lock up using disc brakes. Anyway, all safe. We then made our way through Oxenhall to go straight across by the cricket club then onto the Scarr. It was at this point, Theo asked if we were going up Chapel Pitch? I don’t know; Are we going via Ketford? If so we will go up Chapel Pitch- that must the hill I saw on the OS Map with an arrow then.
In spite of me planning the route I hadn’t actually ridden any of the lanes we were on at this point but what a joy they were. It was along these lanes that we discovered Lucy could go up and down hills pretty quickly. Soon we reached Bromsberrow Heath and a bit of main road before taking the well travelled lane through Clenchers Mill where four out of our six chose to ride through the Ford – no mishaps.
Not long after we reached our destination-nice indoor seating though perhaps not best suited for cooler weather as it was not heated and open sided.
Route back was assisted by Theo and involved Clenchers Mill again, and again, me & Daryl decided we didn’t want an early bath so took the bridge. Afterwards, we made our way through Egg Tump then skirted Pendock before coming out at Garfield Elm. Decisions to be made at that point and we chose to travel towards Staunton where Maz took the main road option leaving the rest of us to go via Pillows Green until we too split up at the junction of Straight Lane and Corse- Gloucester Rd. Me, via Tirley and the very windy approach to Wainlodes and the remaining four via Ashleworth and back to Gloucester.
Lovely ride and company.
JD