Taking advantage of quiet streets – the result of the 8:30 start, Gloucester 10 Km and the Tall Ships events – progress out of town was brisk. The dozen riders were soon through Podsmead and Kingsway and heading for Stonehouse with a gentle following breeze. Noting many floral tributes at Standish church, the scene of our dismay three weeks ago, helmets were touched in tribute as we continued.
Thus far no surprises. Regent Street to Cam and Dursley station on well-travelled ways. But then it all changed, as clear blue sky and warming sun brought the first less familiar turn. By way of Woodend Lane the aptly named Field Lane was entered. A flurry of descending traffic scotched our leader’s attempt at any breakaway but he was soon out of puff, anyway, allowing the Captain to easily claim KOM honours. Perhaps no OS arrows on this climb but enough challenge in its surface and inclination to warrant a re-test.
Time to adjust dress to short sleeves here. The climb might have emphasised the increasing warmth.
And so to Stinchcombe, whereupon on passing Yercombe Lodge our leader swung into Park Lane. Eyebrows were raised and confirmation sought by newcomers to the delights in store. However, apart from an early directional stutter, our leader pressed on along the lane to Waterley Bottom.
Here we were given the most amazing demonstration of narrow lane driving by a young lady: rather than have one of us careless cyclists scratch her car, she proceeded to REVERSE nearly 300 metres to the nearest passing place, at a speed none of us could emulate. Châpeau!
If that demonstration hadn’t left anyone breathless, ahead lay the next best thing: the haul up to Old London Road. While perhaps not worth two OS arrows, its narrow surfaces were well divided by a ridge of many months of accumulated debris. So its one arrow was fully merited: enough to have a walking leader soon joined by acolytes.
Once the heights of Old London Road had been gained it was descending all the way to Charfield and Damery. But then our last OS arrow ascent waited, before we could join the queue for a half-hour wait at a new café stop at Tortworth Business Park. Booking ahead seemed to have few benefits, as the service strategy appeared to have been an inferior adaptation of a local garden centre chain of known repute. Little did we know that we would soon encounter similar service at a pub with good beer.
By way of Rockhampton’s suburbs, Ham and Berkeley a slightly reduced group headed to Sharpness. Here a short diversion enabled a free photo call backed by two Tall Ships tied up there while their lookalikes entertained the paying public at home. No sooner had we set off to witness the forewarned scene of our leader’s unseating last year, than a copycat incident occurred. Fortunately damage was light, though the memory may linger.
Beyond Pulton to Slimbridge Lane we paused to admire ´Bubbles’ gliding along the canal – no WHU flag, though – before reaching our re-arranged pub stop. It had beer, though staff at work were in shorter supply: refills proved to have a potentially longer delay than our café, so the Anchor gained our custom. Refreshed we headed home.
63 miles
MG