After a quick ogle of a new e-bike that was heading out on the Soudley ride, four of us set off for Coleford, in surprisingly mild conditions. A variation of the route out to Flaxley saw us enjoying the views over the Severn from Blaisdon. Dene Magna proved no obstacle for this group, but Stenders allowed one rider to show the advantage of a lighter body, as the rest struggled to chase her up the hill. After a third climb to Ruardean, my Garmin declared “Hill 1 of 5 complete”.
More undulations and the Joy’s Green zigzags took us to the newly resurfaced road from Upper Lydbrook to Worrel Hill, which would have been delightful were it not for the constant 11% gradient. After that, all riders were ready for coffee, and we were soon in Coleford where the conversation centred on how brutal the morning had been.
After coffee, we wre rewarded with the English Bicknor descent, which is fun in dry conditions, a beautiful ride along the Wye valley, and the scenic Walford Valley. Return via Clifford’s Mesne, Newent and Strawberry Hill saw tired riders happy to hop on to the main road back from Highleadon.
64 miles, 4,100′ ascent @ 15.7mph