Cold and damp weather did not prevent a good turnout at the Square, with nine choosing to join the President for a trip to Colwall. We endured the tedious A40/B4215 journey to Highleadon, suffering such heavy traffic that we required two courtesy stops to keep it moving. Thankfully, both were acknowledged but really, where were so many people going? How nice it would be if the dream prospect of a cycle path from Gloucester to Hartpury were more than a twinkle in the eyes of the County Council’s planners.
Things improved after that, and conversation flowed as we rolled northwards, interrupted by the occasional (some might say frequent) rise in the road ahead. Autumnal colours and frequent clumps of cyclamen at the roadside reminded us of the season, and the mud spread hither and thither reminded us of recent wet weather. At least today was dry.
The call of home beckoned for two of our party once we crossed the mighty M50, then to avoid the swollen ford at Clencher’s Mill the remainder swung west to pick up the Dymock road into Ledbury and with it the muddiest stretch of the day. Slick tyres felt like a mistake as wheels slid sideways and though traction was lost, fortunately balance was not, and all passed unscathed.
A long climb after Ledbury was the last before coffee then, in the great tradition of club rides, signposts to our destination were disregarded until, finally, at the church of St. James the Great (as one wag noted, you don’t hear much about St. James the Lesser) we turned toward Colwall Stone for refreshments.
Disaster struck. Having been unable to make a booking at Morso’s our leader had been a little anxious; the sign on the door revealed that his worst fears had come to pass. Unforeseen circumstances indeed, and what to do? Apart from one slyly consumed gel at Bromsberrow no one had eaten anything and the prospect of the climb up to Jubilee Drive for sustenance was most unwelcome. The Captain’s local knowledge saved the day, as he directed us to the nearby Colwall Park Hotel for coffee and cakes.
Reluctant as we were to retrace our steps, or to risk the ford, the climb was tackled anyway, but on refreshed legs we quickly reached the balcony road to British Camp and then made our way home across the Common.
Three more were lost here as they took in a Toby loop before visiting the Farmer’s Arms, the remaining five pressing on through Pendock to Staunton (another farewell here), Ashleworth and the final climb of the day. An impromptu freewheeling competition before finishing was decisively won by Kevin and lost by the rider leader, who started first and finished last. Our fourth combatant was disqualified for using her brakes on the way down!