Another glorious day for cycling – just a shame about the drought conditions. At least today wasn’t muggy, with a decent bit of freshness in the air. A good sized group was at the Square which by the time we’d traversed the Over causeway had swelled to fourteen. A long but mostly flat ride had been promised, encouraging the President to be fixed-gear mounted – although he took the opportunity to miss the first small but steep hill over to Hartpury. Regrouping at the junction and descending to Ashleworth we proceeded at a decent but not too taxing pace along level roads to Tirley crossroads, then on to Chaceley and Forthampton, where the village duckpond was seen to be completely dried up – I’d never seen it like that before.
Having dealt with the unclassified climbs into and out of Forthampton, we took the main road to the Mythe bridge where we saw a solitary swan on the river – thankfully still plenty of water in that particular reach – then turned left, to be faced with another climb. Happily, such was the calibre of the group that there were no difficulties with what is really just a bit of a drag, and once beyond this point the route really was quite flat for some time. Which was just as well, as a headwind that had begun as a welcoming cool breeze was now strengthening a little, but not too much to slow us down inordinately.
We regrouped at the junction to Church End, by the hand car wash, then continued to Twyning and descended with the green to our left. Looking behind I could see that everyone was in sight, so continued on to the rear of the Fleet Inn and (being careful to avoid ending up in the car park) swung left to take the very narrow Fleet Lane. Shortly afterward at the next junction however, we appeared to have lost one rider and I was told he had not followed us. Luckily after a minute he rolled into view – from the other direction – and explained that he did not think there was a through route from the Fleet Inn. O ye of little faith! The Captain did suggest that he should trust the ride leader, with which sentiment I wholeheartedly agreed. But no matter, we were all together again and rolling in the right direction. The lovely, narrow but well surfaced lane took us past the large white rabbit at Showborough, then on to cross the M50 and enjoy a view of the Malverns to the left and… Strensham Services to the right.
A fast road took us to the A4104 which we flirted with briefly before turning through Defford village, where beside the railway bridge the Captain spotted topiary in the shape of a locomotive. Then we continued our flirtation with the A road before a little kicker of a climb ended the relationship and introduced us to a longer dalliance, this time with the Eckington road. The traffic light for the narrow bridge over the Avon was red, and while waiting we engaged in some mild banter with a gentleman on a classic Norton (an Atlas 750, I think) while we waited for our green light. Continuing on, at times the headwind was a little troublesome and separate groups began to form, but we regrouped at the Westmancote junction where we cut the corner – a rider who had previously overtaken us came past again before Kemerton, and commented accordingly (although I’m not sure he knew how we’d managed it). Then it was a simple run in past the lovely villages of Overbury and Conderton to arrive at Beckford just before eleven o’clock. They coped pretty well with thirteen of us turning up (one rider turned back early), providing an excellent array of savoury baps, confections and drinks to satisfy the weary crew. 32 miles to the café. Afterwards three groups headed home via various routes, some more direct than others, six of us heading west then down to Cheltenham for drinks at the Jolly Brewmaster.
TB