Mother’s Day dawned bright and clear, tempting one towards summer clothing. However, knowing that yesterday we had a frost and today had lost an hour, caution prevailed. Eight riders, well wrapped up, started the ride and quickly became nine – British Summer Time had caught someone napping!
We took the cycle path all the way to Arle Court. With a sizable group it proved an interesting experiment, though not an entirely successful one, but, despite rumours of broken glass, it passed without incident. Another experiment was a path in Hatherley, marked as shared use but with the advice that cyclists “should dismount”. Weird. Wiser advice would be that cyclists “should avoid”, so apologies to those who suffered it today.
On to better surfaces at Lilley Brook. Here the wide cycle path, while not making the climb to Seven Springs any easier, did make it more pleasant. After losing the traffic that had been diverted around the “Missing Link” road closures we were able to enjoy the long descent of the Churn Valley with the wind on our backs to Colesbourne .
Here we lost two to Mothering Sunday appointments and, being ahead of schedule, the leader on a whim took the Withington road, mistakenly believing it would only add one more climb. Questions were asked! Discretion and wiser heads guided the choice to head for Chedworth for ciffee (one more climb) instead of Cirencester (two). It proved a wise decision and let us admire the roadside cowslips. We arrived on the dot of eleven to find the car park full but the cafe welcoming, with sensible cycle racks and outdoor seating in the sunshine.
Our leader excused himself after elevenses (another Mothering Sunday appointment) leaving the Captain to shepherd the flock home, a story which he will relate in due course.
MT