A very large turn out at the Square meant that we had to divide into groups and choose several destinations to disperse ourselves. The sport riders headed south, for Wotton sub Edge and Westonbirt, the A riders heading for Slimbridge and the B riders took off in three groups for Falfield. The second group intended to leave a couple of minutes behind the first but Ed put in an early effort to claim Bruce’s Bonus with a puncture at the Square. His tyre was new, and proved a tight fit so the resulting delay meant that an exceptionally good separation was achieved!
By Brookthorpe it was obvious that his repair had not been a complete success and he turned for home with a softening tyre. The President decided that to achieve his objective of visiting the Thrupp Art Shelter trail he would have to cut off part of the route and headed uphill to Edge, leaving three to proceed. They must have gone at quite a pace for they caught (and passed) the others on Selsey Hill arriving on the dot of eleven at … a building site. The cafe was not just closed, but was to be demolished and rebuilt!
The third B group had five riders, who rode out via Kingsway, Haresfield and Standish then across A38 to Whitminster, Eastington and its off-road bypass, thus to Frocester. Declining the slopes, right to Cam – a minor slope and an abandoned road to The Quarry, Stinchcombe. Damery on minor roads that are usually deserted but with the A38 closed at Newport were busier than normal – a shame! Popping out at Stone, back onto the A38 for the short hop out of Gloucestershire to Falfield – to be met by a disgruntled faster group having found the café very much not open. The five, joined by Ken, took coffee and cake at Falfield (shop), then returned via Hill (not hilly, actually very flat) to Ham, the interesting road past the Sea Mills (tidal powered mill) to pop out near the old power station. Berkeley – Wanswell – Purton – Slimbridge – Troy Town – A38 Claypits and Frocester, so eventually through a light shower to The Ship at Framilode.
Meanwhile, Marie had brought her group successfully to the Black Shed and was joined by the President, who arrived just as the Tyndale section were leaving. The shift pattern continued since, just as Marie et al were leaving, the Vice Captain led the B groups in, after having clocked 45 miles to find an open cafe.
As riders made ther way home a light shower of drizzle took the heat out of the day, but it wasn’t enough to spoil a grand day out.