…we had planned a ride though the seasonal falling leaves. However, the recent spell of warm weather (everyone was wearing shorts! In October!) has delayed the onset of autumn. The opportunity of taking a bridle path through Westonbirt Arboretum to enjoy autumnal colours was deferred and instead, the President chose a route in celebration of his predecessor, replete with unnecessary diversions. The first took a group of nine over Moreton Hill to bypass Stonehouse. Concern about the path ahead was expressed when the group was passed by several mountain bikes, but the surface proved to be that of a failing rather than failed road and all safely summited.
Well known roads took the riders through Bridgend, Frocester, and Coaley before tackling the Cam Pitch bypass and taking a right turn where the signpost suggested left, for a diversion through Stancombe Park to seek the challenge of Warend Hill. The adjacent climb of Breakheart Hill is more appropriately named, but is, alas, unpaved so was echewed to avoid a mutiny. The leader led up the lower slopes, before being passed by his fitter companions as the gradient reached an indicated 24%. The leaves around were turning (though not falling), but the peleton’s wheels were soon not, for it had encountered the tail end of a memorial tractor run. This run, an annual event to honour a local farmer’s son killed in a road accident, today had attracted seventy participating vehicles. Alas, only sixty-nine of them made it up the hill and the mechanic’s voiture balai (broom wagon) was blocking the single-track road. After the riders had enjoyed a short rest, a hill start was attempted, with mixed success, but one way or another all nine eventually appeared on the skyline to be directed: “cyclists to the left, tractors to the right”. After crossing the Golf Course’s access road, a descent to The Old Spot took everyone to the cafe, where they arrived soon enough to get their orders in before the B ride arrived. Job done!
At the café, many actual facts concerning the manufacture and consumption of whisky were shared by a member fresh from celebrating his 2020 birthday in a belated tasting session at Penderyn. His 2021 birthday is due soon so with luck there’ll be enough whisky left by then to share a dram and further our education. We also learned a good deal about the birthplace of Dylan Thomas, another expert on the subject of alcoholic drinks.
Remounting, the warmth of the sun deceived some into shedding their gilets. The ride home into a cool north wind soon persuaded them otherwise and reminded them that it wouldn’t be long before wet leaves on the road would be a concern.