Seven keen athletes left the square for the steady ride to Toddington Railway Station. A Clockwise route of 26 miles was chosen, making use of the new Gloucester to Cheltenham cycle path as far as Staverton. A left turn was made, through Boddington to Piff’s Elm where some disrobing of an over dressed rider and on to Stoke Orchard. A left turn here, as we made our way down past the School at Tredington, experiencing very little traffic this fine Sunday morning. A right turn was made, crossing the M5 for the third time, toward Ashchurch, avoiding the flooded road at Walton Cardiff. We easily crossed the usually busy main road next to the New Retail outlet, over the Railway at toward Northway. Crossing the Railway crossing we meandered our way up to Kemerton. Passing the Church we were deafened by the Bell ringing, which was not in good tune! Onward through Overbury and down to the A46 at Beckford. This was the easiest crossing of this junction ever, with only one car on the A46! Onward through Great Washbourne and Alderton with several Red Kites in the skies above. We joined the Stow Road up to Toddington GWR, arriving at 11:02am. Coffee and cake was then taken in the unusually quiet Cafe.
Following refreshments, we made our way to Stanway Hill, turning right for Didbrook and on down to the main road at Hailes. We then followed the Broadway road to Greet and on to Prescott via Gretton. Down the hill to Gotherington and through to Bishops Cleve. Onward up the hill to Woodmancote, then climbing along New Road we encountered a Closed Road sign. Ignoring this signage, we came across King Charles waiting at the Fencing blocking the road. The dog’s owner was also displeased with “No Through Way!”
About turn, we headed back down to Kayte Lane and along to the Racecourse. Again thwarted by a locked gate, we went down to Southam and onto the new Cycle way up past the Racecourse. We made our way to the Stadium where we joined the Honeybourne cycleway into Town, emerging at the Bayshill Pub. Up Bayshill road to Montpellier, across to Suffolk Square and onto the Jolly Brewmaster, where a fine array of rehydration liquids were found.
The strong South Westerly headwind was then encountered as we made our way back to Gloucester, with 55 miles in the bank.