Seven riders left King’s Square on the faster Tintern ride, and took advantage of the light Easter Sunday traffic along the A40 to Birdwood, where we met our eighth member. A scenic, but hilly route through the Forest provided good shelter from the Southerly wind, and the plunge from Sling down to Bigsweir Bridge provided reward for all the climbing.
One of our riders has a reputation for picking the best cake, so it was not just chivalry that prompted me to allow her to order first, it allowed me to copy her order! Coffee and cake was enjoyed at The Old Station in Tintern, and after a diversion to take pictures of the abbey, the lanes up towards Trellech were tackled. The ride leader was enjoying the scenic valley so much that he deliberately chose to ignore the plotted route, and follow the valley higher, which proves that we are not slaves to the technology!
Once over the bridge, the strong tail-wind blew us back along the lanes, with a second excellent cake stop at Berkeley Tea Rooms. I arrived home with 18km to go on Paris Roubaix, and I am sure there will be some tired legs tonight. both in Roubaix and in Gloucester.
79 miles, 4,100′ ascent @ 16.2mph
Riders on Severn Bridge