Club Ride Diary
GCCC Thornbury Sunday Ride
Sunday 6th August 2023, the weather had been let’s say changeable all week, but today was a sunny start with much optimism about the rain holding off until late afternoon. Nine riders left the square as we took off, cruising out of the town through Podsmead and into...
Forest highlights
Twelve riders left The Square promptly at 8.30 and headed into the wind along the not too busy A40 to Birdwood. We lost one rider who had to return home with a mechanical. Into the lanes we know and love took us through Northwood Green, Blaisdon and into the sheltered...
Shortened ride to avoid rain
With the forecast showing rain at one o'clock, a fairly direct route was taken to Kerne Bridge. However, as any cyclist will know, a direct route to the Wye valley involves climbing through the Forest, in this case to Dene Magna, Stenders and Ruardean. The descent...
Ride to Rhydd
The 8.30am start did not deter too many as a group of eight had assembled. It would have been nine, but for a late arrival… The group set off in cool but dry conditions, heading for the west bank and the only categorised climb of the day up to Woolridge Hill. Views to...
Shipped chains in the Forest
Following a couple of days of high winds and heavy rain, 9 intrepid riders gathered at the Square for the early start to Coleford. There was still rather a headwind and lots of grey cloud, but the forecast was largely for dry weather. Setting off west to Over Farm the...
Circuit of May Hill
Skies were overcast and showers were forecast but many members bravely (foolishly?) left their mudguards at home. Four of them and the suitably protected ride leader left the square on the steady ride, bound for Longhope. Passed by the fast group at the Quayside...
Another mountain stage fails to split peloton
The tempo ride set off at a rather brisk pace, flying past the steady riders on Westgate Bridge, but settled down once the main road was left in Maisemore. The steady riders, having taken a more direct route, were passed again at Kent's Green, before the slog up to...
Sprinter hits the tarmac mid-stage.
With a threat of heavy rain it was a diminished gathering at the Square and seven riders opted for the ‘A’ ride to Berkeley, with the Captain standing in for the absent Social Secretary. The group set off across the square to take in the coloured houses of "Rainbow...
Tourmalet and Puy de Dome
After weather induced calendar changes, five set off for Wickwar. By Stroud Road, it was obvious that the ride leader, still recovering from his crash, couldn't keep up, and so we split into a three (hares) and a two (tortoises). In the style of Cavendish, gear...
A route full of surprises
A gallant group of seven (some may say the magnificent seven) set off northbound, avoiding the other faster groups by keeping to the east bank of the Severn. The Sandhurst lane surface is in need of attention, so caution and calls of ‘holes’ were frequent. But it is...