A very enjoyable though hilly ride was undertaken to the Broadway Tower. We started with four.
To try to be somewhere near on time for coffee we headed straight out of town – Northgate, London Rd, Cheltenham Road, Staverton Airport – crossing the M5 at Bamfurlong and edging around Cheltenham via Greatfield Lane. Fortunately the four way traffic lights at the roadworks near the airport changed to green as we approached, as there didn’t seem to be an off-road option there to avoid delay. Also crossing the Shurdington Road was assisted by roadworks and we proceeded along the (closed) Kidnappers Lane – yes you can get through on a bicycle without even leaving the tarmac) and thence on via the tried and tested route to join the A40 via Charlton Kings and on up the climb to Whittington, with very little spread over the group. At this point we lost one rider who had to turn back for an afternoon engagement. We three soldiered on with the ups and downs of the Cotswolds, but what a lovely morning once you’d got moving and warmed up, although I was glad of my gilet and kept it on all day. We enjoyed the picturesque village of Brockhampton and the gentle climb via the secluded valley at the north east side of the village, to get up to Roel Gate. There the initial idea to go via Guiting Woods was abandoned as it was likely to be a bit gritty and sandy and we continued on up and down via Farmcote, towards Cutsdean then on towards Snowshill. Already realising we were rather late, we arrived at exactly 11:30. And we weren’t going especially steadily, either. Too late for bacon sandwiches though so a variety of snacks and drinks were ordered – and very welcome.
The descent of Fish Hill was surprisingly cold but once we’d successfully found our way through the gate and onto the old road, and descended to the village it was much warmer. Then a fairly straightforward route home was taken (albeit with a small detour via Stanton, Stanway House and Didbrook, for scenic value) thence via Prescott, Bishops Cleeve, Prestbury, Leckhampton, Shurdington and Brockworth. I recorded about 56 miles from the Square, 62 miles in total.