Prior to departing from the square, we welcomed a new rider to our foray, this lead to fourteen riders departing on what was predicted to be an overcast winters day. The club captain (as usual) volunteered to marshal the rear and if necessary, split the group to ensure rider safety. We set out of the town down Westgate Street along the causeway over Over Island and into Maisemore Village. Taking the right turn past the Village Hall, we meandered up and over the Over Road regrouping and then taking a right turn at the Gloucester Road and then a left along Gorsend Road. Taking a sharp right along Blackwell’s End, the weather was crisp with pleasant clear skies, which was not predicted but very much welcomed. Staying on Blackwell’s End we crossed the Gloucester Road at Hethelpit Cross along Mill Lane heading for Pendock. There was muted concern about utilising a main road, however it was fairly quiet, so all concerns were nullified. One of the riders informed me that he attended Pendock primary school many years ago with only fourteen other pupils in the class, and now we can see how successful he turned out to be! Over the M50, then turning left / right along Black Lane, we encountered (coming the opposite way) a very large tractor hauling something even larger. We obviously stopped to give way, and to be fair the tractor driver also came to a halt as well, when one rider stated he could not stop (that’s his excuse) skipping past us and then nipped between the front rider and the tractor. This shall I say turned a pleasant looking driver into someone who was obviously uttering a number of expletives, and can say that I would not want to be part of a group of cyclists he encounters after this. We kept to the lanes through Browns End and then Bromesberrow Heath, heading for Dymock with the weather getting better and better for the time of the year. There was a very minor incident at the junction at the Beauchamp Arms where we turned left along the B4215, but that’s all I am required to divulge. We are on the final push now, climbing over the M50 and Dymock Road towards Newent. Still climbing, some riders must have got the scent of coffee because the normal courtesies of regrouping went out the window and sheer hunger must have taken over. However, no harm done, we all arrived at Roses on time, and everyone was able to get the refreshments they required, because cooked food is apparently now served until 11:30am.
On the return (as is customary) some riders had other pressing engagements so two riders took a more direct route, with the majority opting to take a more scenic route (first left) via the Scarr and Brand Green to Upleadon. Turning left at Highleadon another split with half taking the Hartpury route to the Royal Exchange, and the remainder heading past the College and Moorend. Following a brief debate, we headed up Hiam’s Lane back to the Over Old Road and rolled down to Maisemore. We split again with some taking the main road and others trying the river towpath. One rider had an unfortunate incident and fortunately was not seriously injured; however, his injuries may feel a little better when the football scores were announced later.
A good day’s ride with the weather taking an unlikely centre stage for a change.
JA