With a Tempo ride to Northleach and a Moderate pace ride to Chedworth on offer, the offered intermediate paced ride to Northleach had few takers. The select few took a route through the outskirts of Cheltenahm, the aroma of money getting stronger and stronger passing from Warden Hill through Leckhampton to Charlton Kings. Bafford Approach led to to Charlton Hill whose new cycle lane was enjoyed before taking to the lanes through Hilcot, Upper Dowdeswell, and Andoversford. The group stayed in a tight knit formation despite these climbs and the following ascent of Pen Hill, from where a relaxing run in through Hampnett led to a prompt eleven o’clock arrival at The Old Prison.
Tea and cakes were ordered and enjoyed as the Tempo ride came in, first one and then, after a few minutes more, the whole peloton. A demonstration of rural crafts was in progress: wool carding, spinning, apple pressing, but the fresh grass cuttings everywhere showed that we had perhaps missed the scything demonstration and so precluded Jane from demonstrating her skills.
The return led to a road closure at Compton Abdale. The Vice Captain, on a reconnoitre, had advised that the route was passable and most took it. One rider, from the intermediate ride, chose instead to divert via Springhill to Shipton Oliffe, benefitting from a much gentler climb away from the crocodile and the opportunity offered by such a warm and sunny day to take in a ford. Despite the use of the unfortunately named Kilham Lane to reach it there were no fatalities to report, nor indeed unfortunate incidents of any kind. Past the quarry and up Ham Hill, from the easy side, Cheltenham CTC riders were caught and passed, then two ebikes flew past on their way to the summit, only to lose their lead on the descent. Through Cheltenham. then, and home, via Charlton Park and the still to be completed “cycle superhighway” on Old Cheltenham Road.
MT