Six riders met at the square on this cloudy but warmish summer morning for the Steady pace ride to Maisemore. One of the group was a new rider, however he had previous experience of cycling so we were good to go. Out from the square we went along Southgate Street then turned right at Longsmith Street to the junction of the Quay. Turning right at the junction then left at Westgate Island over the bridge and along to the Over Roundabout. Taking the slip road to Over Farm inevitably the conversation centred around the temperature which was a little cool, quite a contrast to the previous day which had been a scorcher. Having debated the weather forecast I was assured that the temperature would rise. We turned right into Over farm and up through the cycle path into Highnam Village.
Having identified the route through the Village, I briefly took a wrong turn, however true to form the group carried on (the correct route) and waited for me to catch up. We carried on through Highnam turning right along the Newent Road to Upleadon, turning right on Forge Lane up to the A417 through Hethelpit cross and up past Gadfield Elm, along Mill Lane, turning left along the B4208 and then right at Hoggs pitch. A point to note was that one of the riders decided to ride his “fixie” with what looked like “time trial gearing” so it was tougher going for him up (and down) the lumps than normal. In addition, looking at our average journey time so far, I had anticipated a gentle 12mph average to undertake the 30 miles of the route giving us an easy 11.00am arrival at the HQ, however we were already doing over 14mph and trying to hold back one of the more enthusiastic riders (Seb) was becoming futile.
Undeterred, having descended along Lime Street and steadily climbing along Lickend Road up to Corse turning Left on the B4211 we turned right at Dunsmore green along Bishops Walk down through the extremely tranquil Forthampton village then turning right continuing the descend into Chaceley. By this time, it was blindly obvious that we were going to reach arrive at the HQ well before “my” scheduled time………Seb had “wore me down”. I choose to ignore comments about how slow we were and rose above it (ha-ha). We continued through Tirley, over the B4213 heading into Ashleworth. Taking the left (shorter) route to circumvent Ashleworth along White Road, I was alerted to a unique wooden grand house on the left had side of the lane, having passed this house a number of times I had no idea of its uniqueness. Just before we go to the centre of the village, we narrowly avoided what would have been a serious collision where a dark coloured mini (if I recall correctly) came round a left had corner obviously thinking he “owned the road”. His reactions were however quite tuned in as he managed to brake well in time before taking a number of us out…….a normal day on the bike!!
Through Ashleworth at the junction opposite the Royal Exchange, we briefly stopped to exchange a few pleasantries, with some of the clubs’ supporters/spectators, then proceeded up the Over Old Road where we witness the final effort from the “Fixie Rider” who got up the hill with no problems (well done Theo). We arrived at the HQ at 10.45 which was more in keeping with my estimated time.
By the weather the weather turned out quite fine as well.
JA