A chilly but fine and sunny morning – with little or no wind – greeted those of us who once again had forsaken a Sunday lie-in and instead set out for two-wheeled fun and games. Nine set out, which soon became ten, slightly later became eleven, only to be reduced to ten again not long after, and finally reduced further half an hour later back to nine. How a ride leader is able to keep track of all this whilst navigating and paying attention is a matter of conjecture, but regular practice probably helps.
Anyway, we enjoyed an eerily quiet Painswick Road (due probably to all of the road closures around town for the marathon taking place) out to Upton St Leonards, where the leader took a right onto the Portway road, with the expected cries of dismay coming from behind. But no matter; it was just a tease as we then headed up through Perry Orchard and onto the regular climb of Nut Hill and on via Fiddler’s Elbow to regroup at the Cranham junction. Here one rider predicted that it would be 9:55 am by the time he had reached the junction at the top of Buckholt Road, and so it would transpire – spot on! Then it was on to Brimpsfield where the leader was rudely overtaken on the descent of the dip by (ahem) slightly heavier persons. Swinging left in the village and descending steeply we encountered our first avoidance of the A417 by going underneath it and then taking the primrose-lined lane to Elkstone and another significant dip, but glorious now with its new smooth surface. Regrouping at the A417 once more, we took to the path alongside for a couple of hundred metres before passing through the gate onto the ‘old’ A417. Turning right after the services we once again ducked under the main road and turned left then right away from the main road – here we startled a hare who took off across the field – and continued on to the lovely village of Duntisbourne Abbots, basking in the morning sunshine and looking as pretty as a picture (the village, that is, probably not us). Then we navigated the narrow path alongside the elongated ford (this path in need of some repair where one section is crumbling into the water, but all made it safely through, possibly with a dab of the foot).
Onwards to Middle Duntisbourne we rode, where another ford was provided for the group’s enjoyment (although some used the bridge). Then more complaints about the following climb up onto the Welsh Way – well there’s always one more climb, surely? No matter, all were safely regrouped after yet again crossing underneath the A417, enjoying the nice, quiet and well surfaced lane; and no doubt the Captain was spotting all sorts of skylarks and buzzards and kites, all of which I missed.
Time was getting on but I had a cunning plan which involved turning right at the end of the lane at Peewits Hill (but I don’t think we saw any peewits) and heading for one final time underneath the 417 again to take the old road down to Stratton, this section a good long downhill taken at speed – but a bit rough! Arrival at the café was around ten past eleven, but the proprietor was most welcoming and allowed bikes to be brought through and parked in the garden. Excellent consumables were then, er, consumed and a well earned rest was taken.
24 miles from the Square