A dozen takers for the B ride left the Square, soon to be a Baker’s dozen as Colin joined in Northgate Street. A rather cold start to the day but with bright skies and mostly dry road surfaces so it was good to get going. A conventional start to Over Farm and up the cycleway to Highnam, then on to Tibberton (avoiding Whitehall Lane as I didn’t want to risk wasting time and the Newent Road was nice and quiet at this time of day) and Kent’s Green. Then almost to Newent but turning left just at the town sign and along Boulsdon Lane/Conigree Road to emerge on the B4221 to Kilcot. Then turning off to Little Gorsley and the ups and downs of Ford Lane, bright green fields all around. The sun came out and things warmed up nicely at this point but with a cold wind which was fortunately behind us for the time being. Climbing up onto the Linton ridge at Aston Crews we regrouped and headed towards the Penny Farthing, turning right, down to Lea – great views and lovely clear air.
Crossing the A40 we headed on towards East Dean where the road was closed but fine for us (no cars!) and then the main climb of the day where we eventually emerged from the shade of the escarpment into bright sunshine at the top. Regrouping opposite the Euroclydon building at Puddlebrook, the group split with three intrepid souls taking the off-road option via Mitcheldean Meend and the top of Stenders, dropping down to Harrow Hill then crossing the main road to take another track behind the old vicarage and all the way to Cinderford off road. The rest of the group took the main road via Drybrook and straight to coffee, arriving around 11 am – about ten minutes before the gravel riders. 22 miles to coffee, no incidents or bad behaviour to report! Thanks to Toby for taking care of the rear of the group.