The first day of Summer and the weather forecast was cloudy with a moderate south westerly wind but no rain, as the previous week was very sunny and warm that was about right for this ride. At the square I noticed a couple of riders who I had not seen before, I was politely informed that they were in fact well-seasoned members of the club who had visited us from afar so no concerns about their capacity to undertake the ride, as one rider had (and still does) held the record for climbing the “mighty Portway”.
We took off down Northgate and then Park Street making our way up Deans Way crossing the dual carriageway at Saint Oswald’s Road down Sandhurst Lane. We soon noticed the strength of the wind as we easily made or way through the Sandhurst loop, turning left on to the A38 and then left at Wainlode Lane. The sun breaking through the clouds was summer strong and with the wind behind us rolling down past the Red Lion we felt we were flying.
Turning left at the junction heading through Tirley we meandered through Corse Lawn eventually climbing through Chaceley, Forthampton & Bushley villages. Undertaking a time check at Bushley as we were slightly ahead of the scheduled time to get to coffee, agreeably after a brief group meeting the decision was “early is good”.
Dropping down through Bushley to the junction we agreed to hold an impromptu photo call before coffee. After turning left up and over bridge we turned right at the Mythe Road junction and held our “photo call” at the entrance of the Pump House. Not happy with the quality of the snapshot at the pump house we swiftly stopped again on the bridge over the Avon and posed again for our “mugshots”. Turning right at the mini roundabout going down the high street was soon realised how strong the wind was which gave us food for thought for the journey home.
As we approached our coffee stop one of the group had a minor medical incident, which was efficiently dealt with between the club members and the proprietor “Café au Chocolat”, who yet again has gone the extra mile.
Within ten minutes of our arrival a late comer arrived (sorry John D I had to do it), with the “I got up late” excuse but we were happy to see him.
One member decided to take the short route home (down the A38), with the remainder of the group taking the well-trodden route through Morrisons, Tredington, Stoke Orchard, Boddington & Staverton.
As always, an excellent ride out made special with great company.
