A dry and sunny day was forecast, and it stayed that way, great cycling conditions with a slight northerly wind. The Steady ride had left at 0830 hrs, and it seemed as if it was just Tempo riders that were assembling in Kings Square. Numbers gradually swelled to 15 or so, although some advised that they would turn off before Cleeve Hill to return home via Southam. Two more then joined us at Shurdington. One of whom hadn’t been out with the club that I know of for a fair while and it was good to have him along. He joined the aforementioned group that turned for home early.
Cleeve Hill was the inevitable challenge and certainly for two young hill climbing riders. The lead rider just couldn’t keep up with that storming pace, nor could any other, so I’m not sure who had bragging rights!
The descent was fast and furious with one rider losing his beloved Oakley glasses due to wind force. Now, Google AI says, “when it comes to glasses in or out of helmet straps, the general consensus among cyclists is to wear them over the helmet straps.” However, perhaps inside helmet straps might help to prevent sudden removal and loss. Over to you to discuss / decide…
We continued northwards after Winchcombe. The road closure between the B4077 and A46 on the approach to Sedgeberrow was navigated with ease with arrival at coffee just after 1100 hrs. Sadly, the availability of cake options was reduced due to demand, so secondary choices had to be made.
The Steady ride arrived a few minutes after and this allowed some of those that had ridden up with the Steady group to ride back Tempo which certainly went at pace home.
The ride leader lost the group at Wick and rode back with a past president to Tewkesbury; a sore knee from the recent 1892 was still apparent and so pacing was the order of the day rather than steaming ahead.
61 miles 2,427 ft, 16.5 to 18.0 mph (depending which group you could keep up with on the way home!)