A novel start along Drymeadow Lane, past the fishing lakes and alongside Hatherley Brook demonstrated that even close to the city there is wildlife and gravel riding. Everone relaxed on recognising the A38 before the ride leader tested his new wheels on the Red Lion freewheeling course. They passed, easily crossing the river Chelt and the disused canal.
After a diversion through Deerhurst, and a novel route through Tewkesbury. the speed picked up as we headed due North with a very favourable tailwind through Bredon and Eckington to cross the Grade II listed bridge, built in 1720 and in constant use since. At Pershore we turned east, picking up some traffic before seeing our second Avon crossing. The cycle route (NCN442) takes the 15th century stone bridge, repaired after the Civil War and remodelled in the 18th & 19th centuries, but we chose to use the modern road bridge alongside that offers an excellent view of it.
The less said about the next stretch, the better. The road towards Evesham suffered from heavy motor traffic but at least led us to our coffee stop at Clive’s Fruit Farm. Here the ride leader pressed on, concerned that the headwind might make him too late for lunch otherwise. A banana and a gel would have to suffice.
Having delivered the ride to Clive’s of Cropthorne, the leader had taken leave of us and set off for home. Whilst enjoying good fayre we were joined by Colin, who had chased us all the way from Gloucester. So, back to eight, the peloton set off south into a persistent wind, taking in Elmley Castle. A cricket match was in full flow with little people on the pitch. A cheery wave and off we went to Ashton under Hill, the sprint for the sign being well timed by the Captain. Lesson: don’t think you have it until you pass the line!
Clouds were building as we went around the southern slopes of Bredon Hill, taking the unfortunately named Crashmore Lane: fortunately, no crashes for us. A good bit of precipitation along here meant caping up (we all stopped to do this, to avoid any crashes) before a welcome tree on a triangle of green offered us limited shelter. A five minute rest and it was over, so on to the big roundabout with the mighty A46. All safely over, onwards to Teddington village, then Alstone. De-caping for the climb to Dixton, where one rider was forced to abandon his effort to be first up the hill – an emergency helmet removal to release an unwanted flying bug. Easy then to Gotherington where the peloton split, four heading home, four to The Shutters. Just in time to miss another shower – good timing!
Refreshed and joined by Tesh, we took in the new cycle lane to Bishops Cleeve: AliG declined having experienced this previously, and rightly so as this is probably the worst new cycle lane in the county. A disgrace. Once in the village we had another light shower demanding a cape-up for most. The remainder of the route home was largely traffic free: through the race-course (cape-off) and then the green four miles or more to our city. No mechanicals or punctures. 63 miles or so.
MT/TW