Firstly, I must apologise for the lack of a photo of the cake (a rich fruit cake topped with glacé cherries, candied orange, and almonds) but faced with a choice between eating it or photographing it I’m afraid I opted for the former.
We started out with nine through Maisemore, Newent, and Gorsley where two left us. Seven then pushed on through Aston Crews to Mitcheldean and Littledean where the descent to Newnham provided superb views as compensation for the dreadful road surface. We lost a further two riders who didn’t stop for coffee, so five of us enjoyed the first class offerings of The Silver Fox.
Suitably refuelled, we made use of the tailwind to return via Huntley, Tibberton, and Highnam.
46 miles, 3,045 ft, 15.4 mph, huge amounts of fun.
SP