July’s rides began in the sunshine with several groups riding at different speeds.
The Training Ride had thirteen participants on a loop around Bredon Hill. The pace was fast and furious again, averaging over 21 mph for the 50 + miles. Everyone worked hard to try and close any gaps that opened up. We regrouped after the false flat into Combertons,& Elmley Castle & kept together to arrive for coffee at Jane’s pantry in Twigworth, only to find they had no hot water as their machines were down, so it was a swift exit heading to Costa Coffee at St. Oswalds. It is a lovely route around Bredon Hill, as evidenced by how many other groups of cyclists were in the area.
The faster of two B rides had four set off from Kings Square. They briefly travelled in the same direction as the other B group but diverged at the Bristol Road / Trier Way junction and set off along Stroud Road. Nothing too noteworthy until they hit the countryside when there was an impromptu ride “committee” meeting at Colethrop to decide how to proceed as one of the four was struggling, suffering, very unusually, from greatly diminished leg power. Personal independence and a stated emphasis on being over 18 prevailed and three set off at a quicker pace after unanimous “committee” approval. On through Stonehouse past the Jubilee Crown and thence to Twyning Ash where road closure signs and road channels (for broadband cable insertion) were negotiated to Stoats Hill, nothing like a good climb! Thence along the top to descend into Wotton Under Edge. As we approached Charfield we picked up another rider and followed the route, avoiding a gravel section inserted by the ride author (thanks for plotting). Just before the A38 lights they picked up another rider, on his newly serviced gravel machine and headed towards coffee; his comment was that this was his hardest half mile or so that day as he nestled in a short “chain gang” procession to Eastwood garden centre
Coffee was taken outside after a long queue where the formerly dropped “committee” member was absorbed back into the assembled GCCC B ride throng. The ride leader gratefully accepted some free TdF socks from a fellow rider who said that they did not meet his exacting clothing fit requirements. Perhaps they will be worn on the next club outing… The homeward leg with a tailwind resulted in some splits and divergent routes being taken at various paces. A bit of rain was encountered on the A38 at Clay Pits and through Frampton but nothing too serious. Then back to the dry, thankfully, as Gloucester was attained.
The other B pace group, of seven, set off from Kings Square at a steady pace, passing along the Bristol Road, through Kingsway and Stroud Green the pace was maintained to reach Stonehouse in well under the hour. Fears of an ascent of Frocester Hill were unfounded as the leader pressed on to Cam Pitch instead, turning at Stancombe for Upper Wick and then Tortworth. With just enough time for further exploration, Leyhill, Cromhall and the lanes to Whitfield revealed the destination on its hillside perch. The enlarged café was most popular, and it was a while before we reached the counter – but service was rapid.
With skies less welcoming than earlier four of the original seven picked up a pacemaker for the run to Saul. Leaving behind the morning’s slopes a breakaway developed. Our new pacemaker was undeterred and, joined by an ageing leader, gave chase. The hare was eventually caught by the pack, but not until Thornbury, Brockhampton, Hill and the Côte de Ham had passed beneath our wheels. Wanswell, Purton and Slimbridge were visited at a more leisurely pace before the arrival of sustained though moderate precipitation through Coaley, Frocester and Whitminster on our way to Cornish beer and Italian lager at The Ship, Saul. It was here that we joined the remnants of the A ride, who had been settled for some time.
70 miles for the leader.
More pictures from this and previous club rides are in the Gallery