Ten experienced riders appeared on a day with a somewhat uncertain weather forecast of light showers. Initial discussions took place concerning the planned route, however right on cue the Captain called time and we were off. Down Eastgate street, through Tredworth and up the Painswick Road we travelled until we saw the father and son combo travelling towards the city so we beckoned them to join us. To be honest on second thoughts the thought occurred that maybe they were intending to join the Novice ride and maybe it was the wrong decision to encourage them to join us, but as shall be revealed, my concerns were entirely unfounded. Turning right up Matson Lane, past the Ski Centre dropping down onto Winnycroft Lane staying on the lane to the tee junction my thoughts were on the young rider and would he be able to cope with our planned trek up the A4173 to Edge. We agreed to regroup at the St John the Baptist church and up we went. Well, my concerns were completely groundless for not only did the young rider make it up the climb, but he was one of first group to make it and had a lot more left in the tank at the top. Taking a well-earned drink, we recovered on the way down to the Painswick Road, and after successfully negotiating the junction made out way into Stroud. Turning right at Stafford Street and left at the mini-island down Paganhill Lane and second exit down to the Sainsbury’s Island, we tackled Selsley Hill. Taking the right fork we proceeded down to Kings Stanley. Yet again the young rider seemed to be in his element showing his “power to weight” capabilities. Along the Bath Road briefly stopping at the Frocester island hoping to raise some concern about turning left and taking on the hill, but nothing doing I had already posted the route! Straight over the island then to the tee junction we regrouped before the left turn into Coaley. We had made good time so a brief diversion was required so as not to not arrive “way to early” for coffee. The Captain stepped up with a few well-chosen alternatives which we welcomed and that put us back on track. The final climb was along Ashmead and at the top turning right down Cam Green, Station Road, then Chapel Street in Cam. Taking advantage of the Captain’s “taxi man’s” knowledge of the area we made a few more cheeky diversions through Gossington and Moorend we arrived at our venue the Black Shed almost exactly the same time as the Novice ride and on time.
On the return home as usual there was a number of options. The usual lunch time group accompanied us until the A38. A left turn then an immediate right along the lane over the motorway back into Coaley, Frocester. The remainder of the group enjoyed the strong southerly breeze taking us up the long drag to Claypits as fast as ever. The usual Bimble home through Frampton, Epney and Longney was going to take us past “Wholly Gelato”. I would like to say some of us were “bullied” into stopping but you know the truth, we just had to stop. Well, it would be rude not to…
JA