A mighty fourteen left the Square at 9am for the steady ride to Tetbury. Heading out to Matson we took the back lanes through to the lovely tarmac after Haresfield. It was clear along this route that with a couple of riders on recovery rides we were going to be a bit tight with time. However, we pressed on along the almost as nice tarmac down towards Stonehouse. We crossed the canal onto the cycle path which we took all the way to Nailsworth. On the way we lost a couple of riders who were starting to feel the chill. Nailsworth was reached where a quick discussion meant either a re-routing and hard work to get to Tetbury for elevenses or a nice loop round to drop back in to Avening and then Nailsworth. It was also in Nailsworth that we ‘lost’ another three riders – I was starting to feel paranoid.
Anyway, the loop was decided upon which coincided with my route. Turning left at the roundabout in Nailsworth caused a lot of muttering in the ranks faced with the Nailsworth W – ah but who knew about Pencile Lane ?? A lovely lane just after the cattle grid to the right; beautifully steady gradient was our route. However, this lane had a sting in its tail- a 12% ramp into Minchinhampton. Down to Hampton Fields we started to descend towards Avening but conscious of the time we stopped at the Golf Club to mark Remembrance Sunday where two minute’s silence was impeccably observed by all. A swift descent into Avening and the lovely windy road took us to our destination- Nailsworth Garden Centre
Various little groups departed the cafe with the Lunchtime crew deciding to tackle Horsley Valley while the rest of us retraced our steps to Stonehouse. Daryl wanted to get home but a couple of us fancied a bit more mileage so cut through Great Oldbury, Whitminster, Saul, Epney. Unfortunately progress along the canal tow path was a bit slow but better alternative to Bristol Rd.
What a lovely day it turned out to be and lovely company
JD