Fifteen riders left Kings Square on a glorious sunny morning. The group included two friends of Emma’s from the Netherlands, an American and an Englishman, both as guest riders. They certainly chose the right weather and saw Gloucestershire at its best.
The Lassington wood cycle path avoided the busy A40 and it was then onto the lanes lined both sides by colourful spring flowers with Cow Parsley lording it over dandelions and buttercups. This was the countryside doing its best for our mental well being (I call it enjoyment). After Tibberton and Kents Green we climbed up to Aston Crews where we regrouped by the Penny Farthing, a good pub, though one we rarely visit. The lovely quiet lanes round Penyard Park with the delightful twisty section by the old mill led us to Walford and into Ross to show off the Ross on Wye old Market Hall to our foreign guests. Refreshments were taken at the Engine Shed. Most of the Group returned directly to Gloucester while four continued to lunch via Backney and the suspension bridge over the Wye to the quaintly named Hole in the Wall and then the scenic ride alongside the Wye to How Caple. Lunch was taken at Woolhope followed by a walk up Ridge Hill. It was sunny and just after lunch! The climb rewarded us with a beautiful panorama of the Malverns, Bredon Hill and the Cotswold escarpment. A wind assisted ride through Kempley and Newent soon saw us back in Gloucester. 61 miles and 3,722 feet ascent.