An amazing 18 riders set off from the square on a cold foggy Sunday morning. The real British weather truly kicking in now from a crazy hot summer that no one was expecting, but thoroughly enjoying. Within the group was a few new riders who appeared experienced, however with such a large group mindfulness was required to ensure they were comfortable with the group’s pace. Out of the town via Southgate Street, across the traffic lights and left for Stroud Road and right for Seymour Road (this was a brief deviation from the published road to avoid the treacherous St Barnabas Island) and through Podsmead to Cole Avenue. Straight over the traffic light into Tuffley making our way along Grange Road to rejoin the published route. We briefly lost a rider who followed the published route, but quickly regained his confidence at the top of our first climb of the day into Edge. Unfortunately, the fog was almost a “pea souper” so no wonderful views of Harescombe village could be seen, and with the traffic being unusually heavy a very long trail of cars followed the group up to the first regroup at St John the Baptist Church. Onwards and upwards with the Church on our left up to towards Randwick we again regrouped again at the Main Road Junction (see photos) ensuring everyone was comfortable with the pace, there were no concerns other than the thickness of the fog, so we pressed on taking the first right hand turn (which some riders almost missed) through Standish Woods giving our legs a well-earned rest then regrouping at the bottom of Cashes Green. Was it me or did it really feel warmer at the top of the hill than the bottom?
Making our way down Dudbridge Road to get to the Cycle track to Nailsworth, a rookie error was made meaning temporary mayhem actually getting on to the Cycle track, but all good in the end. Along the cycle track to Nailsworth, and straight over the roundabout towards Avening the road was strangely devoid of traffic, as if the road was closed however, we were eventually passed by one car and sometime after we encountered another going the opposite way so no “the road wasn’t closed”. One of the most pleasing things we saw was a perfect view of what Autumn is about on this road with the overhanging trees showing a multitude of colours and shades. A small climb out of Avening and into …. The clock was quickly coming towards 11.00am and at the correct hour (thanks for the timings John) we stopped to pay our respects just outside the “Cotswold polo Club” to the “fallen”.
We are on the final run now and we decided to take the cycle track route into Tetbury. The route was particularly busy with families taking a stroll and youngsters on bikes, but that did not spoil the views of the valley with the sun desperately trying to come out….it was still cold though. We made our way to the Engine Shed at 11.15am encountering an extremely long wait for refreshments, encouraging a number of riders to seek swifter refreshments in the town centre.
