Twelve riders left the square on a very overcast and still Sunday morning. We departed Gloucester via Westgate Street and over Westgate Bridge, through Over Farm and on towards Tibberton. On reaching Whitehall Lane Malcolm turned off to undertake a more off-road route to coffee so we were down to eleven. Through Tibberton, where we collected Emma who was waiting to join the group. We continued turning towards Kents Green and on to Clifford Mesne and the first climb of the day. One rider, whose legs were not feeling really great after this climb, made the decision to return to Gloucester. Down the sketchy Oaks Lane some riders were met with a car coming up the hill, not great when the lane is not very wide and a poor surface. Through the villages of Aston Ingham and Aston Crews and down the hill where a rider had a pinch puncture after hitting a large stone. Over the crossroads at Lea we all stopped to aid the rider with his deflation. Howard produced his clever new piece of kit, an electric pump that inflated the tyre to 100psi in no time. Much debate has taken place since over this new kit and I’m sure Amazon will receive a few more sales as a result of this puncture.
The second climb of the day was soon upon us as we turned left and up Hawthorn Road where we were greeted, with the beautiful colours of forest trees starting to change after the long hot summer months. A nice steady descent took us down and into Drybrook. After crossing the main road we headed towards Cinderford and through the back lanes of the Forest Vale Industrial Estate. A quick shortcut through the back lanes brought the group out in Ruspidge, with a further climb out of here and once at the top, a lovely steady descent to the coffee stop at The Dean Heritage Centre. On arrival we caught up with Malcolm and two other riders that had joined him after making their own way there. Refreshments were taken and the group left together, later splitting at Littledean for a further loop before ending up in Blaisdon for lunch. The rest of the group headed back towards Gloucester through Flaxley, Northwood Green, Birdwood and Tibberton. At this point, we followed our outward bound route back to Gloucester where the sun was trying to break through the clouds. A total of 47 miles and 3k feet of elevation.
DM