The normally straightforward route east from Gloucester along London Road is still impassable, so our group of ten took a varied route though Longlevens and Innsworth to emerge at the balancing ponds of the Goldsmith Road development (a new route for our former Captain, Toby). Delayed on the way to Cold Pool Lane by a puncture, we made up a bit of time along the main road past Dunkerton’s. It is amazing how busy this establishment has become. Mr. Dunkerton must be doing something right. Apparently, he is lobbying for a cycle path to it from Charlton Kings, which would offer welcome relief from the traffic along this single carriageway road and leave only a short stretch by the reservoir before the crawler lane for the climb to the head of the Chelt valley gives cyclists some room to ride.
After regrouping, we climbed to Dowdeswell’s burial grounds before a glorious descent to a well surfaced bridle path along the Coln valley, another first for Toby (and many others, it must be admitted). Although we were running a bit late by now there was no temptation to take the London Road. Instead Shipton Oliffe and its ford beckoned. The ford’s stony surface looked alarmingly green but even so about half the company successfully risked passage.
A ford has to be at a low point and so it was no surprise that the climb of Kilham Lane that followed exposed some tired legs, even if it didn’t quite kill ’em. Another lovely descent along the dry valley to Compton Abdale kept those of an ornithological bent busy counting the kites and spotting a buzzard amongst them. The wind up the valley must have been providing a helpful updraft for them for today was too cold for any useful thermals.
Turning at the crocodile, which as usual gave us a stony gaze but offered no threat, our first arrowed climb led to the day’s high point of 235m from which a bridle path along the ridge offered a tempting alternative. Signs to the “Ghosts of Roman Britain” were by now showing everyone the easier route to the Villa so tarmac it was, back to and along the Coln valley to reach the National Trust café.
The return was via Withington, with those heading for Cranham’s Black Horse facing a hilly route that included the jeopardy of discovering a route through the “Missing Link” road works. Others planned an easier return via Charlton Kings. On the way the ride leader established that a slow leak becomes a full puncture after a gas canister has been exhausted reinflating it (three times) and reluctantly accepted a point in the Bruce’s Bonus competition. Jim eventually found a tiny hole in the tube for him, but only after seeking out a pothole full of water (they do have some use after all!) but we judged it wiser to patch it later and used a new tube to get home.
All three club kits were on display today