Departing Café Chocolate just after noon, after an excellent service, four set off for lunch by taking advantage of an increasing tailwind, heading north to Bredon’s Hardwick. Here, feeling that was quite enough of going in the ‘wrong’ direction, we turned at the pub and returned to Gloucestershire, making the first of six M5 crossings – taking note of a good number of old busses hidden in the Manor House gardens. Why? Anyway, onwards through Northway and 100 yards of the morning’s route in the same direction – generally frowned upon, but needs must! Over the A46 and continuing south into the definitely increasing wind it was a bit depressing to see yet another massive housing development swallowing up more green fields. When will it stop?
Back on our usual roads, sedate progress was made (there was no rush, you see) to Fiddington (M5 bridge), Tredington (M5 bridge), Stoke Orchard (M5 bridge), Elmstone Hardwicke (M5 bridge). All these climbs quite wore us out, and it was most pleasing to reach the House in the Tree without further climbing.
Once refreshed, it was back into the breeze, taking in our final climb over the M5 – bridge number 6. The ‘green mile’ was enjoyed a second time, following the new cycle superhighway to the Hare & Hounds junction – still very much ‘work in progress’. Inspired by the President’s news of a new route for cyclists, we headed west to Insworth and the track, Dry Meadow Lane through to the A38. Some stony lane; then new tarmac, then older tarmac, then hardpack gravel to exit the new estate – another monster of sprawl – at Jane’s Pantry. A most useful cut-through. Two went directly home, two opted for the scenic Sandhurst lane.
52 miles, strong SW wind,dry, not cold.
TW