Martha Rees and the Vandellas, not to mention the Met Office, forecast a heat wave so short sleeves should have been the order of the day. Or not, after I stepped outside and felt the 10°C wind chill, A quick retreat and clothing adjustment readied me for a brief shower (heavy enough for Les to cape up) en route to King’s Square for the seasonally adjusted 8:30 start. Attendance was high class if not high volume as we rode west out of town.
We gathered a couple of additional riders before Tibberton, making a magnificent seven. Progress was interrupted to rewire a malfunctioning electronic shifter then at Kempley we slowed to pass a beautiful palomino horse. Before Much Marcle a longer stop was required to repair a puncture and while this was being dealt with we heard a susurration as the Tempo group sped by. Soon after, the smaller and slower sub tempo group passed. It was clear that our stops had consumed the half hour advantage of our early start.
Undaunted we continued and all were glad when, at Queen Victoria’s Jubilee tree, we turned towards Kynaston, which I learned today is pronounced Kin-Aston, and away from the Scrumpy House climb. A couple of brief ‘A’ road sections brought us to the impressive gates of Canon Frome Court, but the Court itself was hidden from view; though we glimpsed its substantial chapel through the trees.
We must be nearing our coffee stop, thought the leader, and he was delighted to discover that its having been specified as a way point on the route meant it was easy to determine that only 8km was left to ride. With the wind behind us this passed quickly, and to our delight we found that the Tempo riders had not only exited the queue but had also kept a table for us. Service with a smile!
With the clock approaching noon it was time to discuss a pub stop. After discovering that no one would be at the Farmers Arms we realised that we had no need to cross the Passo Delle Hollybush and choice an easier route and headed for The Pelican. Alas, troubles come in threes, so another mechanical stop was called. A pinch flat gave the ride leader a fast deflation and whilst stopped Theo detected a slow deflation, the second of his ride.
Back on the road we were stopped by a procession of vintage tractors before gamely and successfully tackling Clenchers Mill Ford. Puzzled by the sounds of a steam train, despite our distance from any railway, we slowed. Luckily, as it turned out, for the steam driven tractor that came over the hill left no room for passing traffic.
Soon after the ride broke into three groups. Those with the greatest thirst pressed on through Staunton, Ashleworth, Maisemore, and Alney Island to be rewarded with a direct hit from one of Gloucester’s many incontinent gulls. The second made straight for home, and the third had a couple of motoring related incidents. In the first a wise decision was made not to reinforce guidance on the rules of the road with a Glasgow kiss. In the second, much friendlier, encounter free range eggs changed hands. Five riders then reconvened at the Pelican where the choice of beers was considerably wider than the choice of filled rolls (all were cheese and onion) and encouraged a very enjoyable review of the day.
Heat Wave?
