With a heatwave on the horizon, we were fortunate to have a dry and calm day with pleasant temperatures, albeit with strong sun at times in the afternoon. Arriving in good time at the Square for the 7:30 start I was soon joined by a couple of riders, but then it looked like we would be the only ones on the ride. But as we prepared to set off, another appeared, then another and a couple more so eventually we were seven and set off 5 minutes late. No matter; with a beautiful day in prospect and lots of great roads to look forward to we could just relax and enjoy.
It was clear that everyone wanted to keep some energy in reserve for later and so climbs were taken in suitably low gears and steady pace, until we eventually arrived at Birdlip and on to Brimpsfield. Sweeping down to pass under the A417 we made our way to High Cross and regrouped, then continued on along the ridge road where we observed a large dark brown deer leaping through the crops in the field. Fabulous! On to Woodmancote where we were overtaken by two big motorbikes and a scooter, which was fine and safely done, then the leader escaped a close encounter with a hatchback coming the other way rather too spiritedly on a blind bend.
Having swep through Woodmancote, the leader then managed to miss the first turning to Bagenddon, so the next was taken which was a bit rough but all survived with rubber-side down and soon enough we were through the village and crossing the road at Perrotts Brook. The following climb was again taken steadily and we crossed the next road, the White Way. A little later we forked left onto the lovely, narrow Welsh Way with its views to the left into a dry green valley.
Regrouping again after the sharp rises to Barnsley, a short hop along the main (B) road it was back on the Welsh Way to join the very obviously Roman road into Quenington – a great stretch for spinning along almost effortlessly. Soon we were descending to cross the River Coln and climbing gently past the New Inn (built circa 1600) up into the village of Coln itself and on to Hatherop with the upper storeys of the Castle School visible on the skyline.
Cresting the hill we headed out into open country and observed 5 red kites circling over a recently mowed field, then turned for Eastleach, another picturesque village with an inviting-looking pub set back and above the ‘main’ road through the village. No time to stop however, even for matins that were advertised outside the church; it was time to climb once more out of a valley. By now the promised warmth of the day was beginning to make itself felt and we toiled on past the field of cars outside the wildlife centre and into Shilton where a few of us braved the ford – actually very shallow and easy today. Soon enough we were on to B road straight into the heart of Carterton for 11 ish. The café was surprisingly not too busy and fairly cool inside so we sat in and enjoyed doorstop sourdough bacon sandwiches (or sausage) or even scrambled eggs that were presumably Burford Browns judging from the golden-orange colour. The staff did seem a little like they’d had a heavy night on Saturday, even requiring the assistance of the Social Secretary to remove the lid off a jar!
After elevenses we headed out through the very busy Burford and along the tiny lane to Windrush and Sherborne. Some discussion was had on which way to continue and the Farmers Arms at Guiting Power was decided upon. This involved a steady climb to Clapton on the Hill and a marvellous descent on smooth tarmac into Bourton. However some riders did notice a sharp bump somewhere on the descent which did for one of the Captain’s rear spokes; a cable tie was pressed into service and we continued up the next drag and finally to the pub. Happily the rear wheel survived all the way home. Around 85 miles for most of us, and a grand day out!