On a mild start to the day, on wet roads following the overnight rain, 11 left the square on the moderate ride bound for Cinderford. We passed the Tempo ride just short of Westgate bridge. An early deflation disrupts their ride. 🔧
Onwards and upwards to Woolridge Hill, a call rang out “Cinderford is behind us”. A left turn at the top of the hill rectified this somewhat. We descended down to Hartpury College, eventually passing a couple of slightly nervous horse riders on their trusty steeds. We then passed a few joggers on our way to Highleaden. Dropping down to Rudford, an early right turn was made onto the old road A4215, for a bit of rough stuff for the captain! Tibberton to Taynton went uneventful as we turned onto the climb up to Glasshouse. We then turned right through the woods towards Clifford’s Mesne. Then the dodgy descent down Oaks Lane caused one rider a wobble on the muddy road. On through Aston Ingham, followed by the short climb up to the Penny Farthing. The descent down to Lea was interrupted by the ride leader having a Helmet strap failure 🧷. With this fixed, the temporary Traffic lights caused a further slight delay before the longer climb up to Puddlebrook, the highest point on the day at 735 feet. A good road surface for the descent into Drybrook as we turned along the valley to the A4136 and across to Steam Mills Road for the climb up to the Cafe in Cinderford at 11.20am.
With the forecast of imminent rain, 6 riders took the shorter planned route to the Red Hart, with gentle rain falling at Soudley. Capes on, the rain ceased 5 minutes later on the climb up to Littledean. A careful descent on the wet road, we then followed around the Flaxley Valley to the Pub in Blaisdon.
After a quick pint in the busy bar on Mother’s Day, it was decided to move on to the recently reopened Red Lion at Huntley with 3 stopping for further rehydration! A wise decision, with 3 nice ales 🍺 🍺🍺 on offer we shall return another day.
The normal route back to Rudford and along the Newent Road back into the City. The expected rain didn’t materialise until later in the afternoon.
48 miles with 2800 feet of climbing.
