A great ride out this morning to the Kerne Bridge. The sharp climbs between Kempley and Bromsash meant we had deserved our coffee and cake at Flanesford Priory. The climb from the Wye to Ruardean proved to be too soon after coffee, and at the top, I noticed a strange sign. I am told not to ask Foresters about bears, so the sign will remain a mystery to me. What goes up must come down, and the Stender’s descent from Drybrook to Mitcheldean was great fun, as was getting blown home along the Over bus lanes.
Two Club members had made sure of substantial cooked breakfasts by eating at Kaplan’s in Coleford, from where they rode to Blaisdon, reserving a table for their Club mates at the Red Hart. Unfortunately, in their enthusiasm to make space for the later arrivals they both moved to the same end of the pub’s table/bench, causing it to deposit them, with their beer, on the floor. Wounded pride (and a good entry for the Golden Stabilizers competition) and a punctured pair of shorts were fortunately the only damage done. A fresh round of beer soon restored morale, after which all enjoyed the favourable tail wind home.