Eleven set off on a beautiful summer morning, spoilt only by a quirky wind, which seemed to be a headwind all day. Some of the younger riders were enjoying springing off, and challenging themselves on the climbs, while the more experienced saved a bit for later in the day. Despite these sprints, we all stayed together throughout the ride.
The lane from Newent to the North Pole is covered in loose material, and caution was required along its entire length. One rider did a Magnus Sheffield on exit from the ford, and lost his front wheel, but it was not serious, and no other incidents occurred. Gaining the Linton Ridge took some effort, then we saw first Neville, in Lea, then the rest of the 08:30 ride at the bottom of the Drybrook climb. After Joy’s Green, we had our “Passo di Fosagno” (aka Worrell Hill when in the Tour of Britain), which hurt everyone, but perhaps demonstrated to the younger riders that their early exhubrance was a mistake.
Navigational problems finding the cafe, resulted in the descent of a grassy playing field, but coffee and cake were enjoyed outside in the sun. Return was less hilly, and only marred by a puncture outside Flaxley Church – what a beautiful place to stop, and another fall by Magnus Sheffield, this time caused by an emergency stop for a tractor.
66 miles, 4,500′ ascent @ 15.1mph – Not quite Filippo Ganna’s pace from yesterday’s TT, more like Phillip O’Ganna
