After a weather forecast so dire that the Training Ride was brought forward to Saturday there was concern how many would turn up for the Club and Sport rides today, but overnight rain cleared to leave a reasonable, if slightly cold morning. Eight sport riders set off for Hopewell Colliery in the Forest of Dean.
Greasy roads and some ripple effect of braking caused one rider to come off. As we had just had the Club first aid course, thoughts of all the serious things discussed there quickly filled my head, but were equally quickly dismissed when it became apparent that grazed fingers were the main injury. However, a quick concussion check was performed before we set off.
After a plea to route the ride through the Forest, rather than Upton Bishop, we chose perhaps the hilliest but most direct route to Hopewell, along the northern edge of the Forest, through Mitcheldean, Drybrook and Joys Green to Mile End. Return was more conventionally via Parkend and Soudley.
Apart from a few spots of rain near the coffee stop, conditions stayed dry and we all enjoyed the ride.