Five left King’s Square to battle a stiff headwind, as we headed north, with “extra shot” doing some great turns. The road from Upton to Powick was busy enough to be unpleasant, but apart from that, coffee was reached without incident. A buzzard circled overhead near Alfrick, although if it had chosen Ankerdine Hill, it may have found easier pickings. The advice to stay in a crawler gear on the hill proved unnecessary, as nobody considered changing up, and with bursting lungs, we all crested successfully.
The sweeping bends down to Ham bridge can be exciting if taken quickly enough, and they took us to the long climb up to Clifton Upon Teme, which at 157m above the Teme is well prepared for floods! “The machine” showed everyone a clean pair of wheels and took the KOM. By the time we reached Bromyard, we were in need of further sustenance, and some ladies returning from park run recommended “Brew” coffee shop, and its carrot cake. Their endorsement was justified.
Tailwind in the Frome and Leadon valleys helped us on our way back to familiar territory, and a detour over the Hollybush ensured that there was nothing left in the legs, and consequently, Wainlodes Hill hurt us all.
85 miles, 4,500’ ascent @ 16.7mph