Il Lombardia is affectionately known as the “race of the fallen leaves”, and although its still a few weeks away, there was plenty of evidence of fallen leaves, conker shells and other debris on the roads on an autumnal morning.
Its not simply the amount of elevation, but the steepness of the climbs that makes them hard, and after Upton Hill then Stepping Stones Lane, even the ride leader was cursing at his own choice of route. The strong Southerly wind made us think Selsley Common would be unpleasant, so we diverted the route through Middleyard. It was trying to go back up through the gears at Selsley Church that one rider found his electronic gears had had enough and wanted to condemn him to his granny ring for the rest of the ride. Computer says no|
Berkeley Castle was a new coffee stop for me, and I think it was a success (although hte tea rooms in the village are also good), and after coffee, we had the benefits of a strong tail wind home. All the riders bringing mudguards was sufficient to ensure the threatened rain held off.
49 miles, 2,000′ ascent @ 15.0mph