Twelve riders left the square on a bright, sunny Sunday morning for a relaxed ride to Slimbridge. On leaving the square, the group meandered through the streets of Gloucester City Centre, Embridge, Barnwood, Hucclecote, Abbeymead and Upton St Leonards. On through Matson and towards Haresfield, through the lanes and onto Standish Church. A left turn at the church and through the lane and out onto the A38 Bristol Road. A short stretch of this road was negotiated before turning off and traveling through Whitminster, Framilode and Frampton On Severn. At Frampton On Severn the group travelled along The Green through the centre of Frampton and over the canal before joining the canal towpath. At this point there were a few cheers as some of the group enjoyed the quick sprint along the canal towpath testing their bike handling skills, whilst others steadily rode the towpath. We regrouped and settled down for refreshments at the Black Shed in Slimbridge and joined Toby who had taken on some hills on his way to coffee.
We all left together heading through the lanes towards Cambridge and back onto the A38 Bristol Road. This is where the group split, with one group turning off and heading towards Coaley and the rest heading back towards Gloucester. With the wind behind us, the group made easy work of the rise up to Claypits traffic lights. A left turn and along the Perry Way and back into Frampton on Severn. Through the lanes where one rider opted for the quick route home and the rest took the slightly longer route, so as to stop at Wholly Gelatto and enjoy a well deserved ice-cream. Once these had been consumed we continued through the lanes and then along the canal towpath taking us back to the city centre.
DM