The tempo ride set off for Sherston with seven riders, two of whom would have to pull off early due to other commitments, so from Stonehouse onwards we would proceed with five. The ride leader was wishing for wings ascending Selsey, watching the riders in front flying compared to him. We did regroup and with a slight downhill and wind assistance it felt like we were flying along the roads to Sherston where we had our date with the Angel Cafe.
The sustenance of coffee and carrot cake seemed to give a couple of the team “wings” and there was much suffering at the back trying to keep up, then we had another heavenly intervention in the form of substantial rain hitting us before Dursley, rivers across the road territory!
We thankfully survived the descent all in one piece, and gritted our teeth for the run back up through the lanes to Quedgeley into a troublesome wind.
A character building ride 64.26ml, 3009ft @16.7ml/hr
MB