Eleven vintage cycles with vintage riders enjoyed 36 miles from Maisemore Village Hall taking in Ashleworth, Tirley, Chaceley, Eldersfield, Lowbands, Redmarley, Bromsberrow Heath (cafe), Dymock (Beauchamp Arms), Oxenhall, Newent, Highleadon, Murrels End, and back to the village hall. Gradients were mostly gentle, which pleased those on bikes with less gear choice than modern machines, but Drury Lane on the way out led some to walk and Hiam’s Lane offered a vicious sting in the tail near the end of the ride.
It was disappointing that a calendar clash had diverted many possible participants to Banbury instead of Maisemore and as a result turn out was not a good as hoped, after all the work advertising, organising the event HQ, baking, waymarking route and producing the route sheets.Those that did turn out thoroughly enjoyed some of Gloucestershires finest coutryside.
We had friends from Wantage, Yate, Presteigne, Cheltenham, three Tyndale 1891 members and two from Gloucester City CC: Malcolm, Club President, and John on his Woodrup cycle. There was a nice selection of bikes and only one puncture.
Thanks go to friend Charles for assistance with way marking up to 10.30pm on Saturday, Glynis for finishing off marking with me from 5.00am Sunday and Mike for marshalling and clearing way markers.