On a damp and grey Sunday morning 7 riders left the square for a meander to Tewkesbury. After leaving the square we headed out of Gloucester towards Maisemore and made use of the old road to the top of the climb, when we turned left heading back down the hill towards Hartpury College. It was at this point that the heavens opened up and we had our first soaking.
Through the college lanes and out onto Park Road and then a left turn and onto Blackwells End. Through the lanes we travelled, with the group slowly getting used to the rain that was still falling, albeit lighter than when in Hartpury. Reaching the Ledbury Road A417, we took the gentle climb up to the turning for Lowbands at which point we turned off the main road and into the back lanes. Down through Lowbands shaded slightly from the rain and into Pendock. Along Wyndbrook Lane and Under the M50 for the first time today. A short incline on Cooks Lane and onto the Gloucester Road, where we turned left, and stayed on the main road for about a mile before turning right following the signs for Berrow Church.
Down into Berrow the group travelled with the rain seemingly getting lighter the more the morning past. Into Berrow, and pass the beautiful St Faiths medieval Church and through the lanes to Birtsmorton. Once through Birtsmorton, we followed the Marsh Road towards Longdon. It was at this point that we noticed the grey clouds were beginning to break and the possibility of it stopping raining.
At the end of the Marsh Road, we again joined the main road and under the M50 for a second time. Turning off the main road into the Rampings and out onto the Myth Road. Over the Mythe Bridge and into Tewkesbury when refreshments were taken at The Cafe au Chocolat, and an opportunity to dry out a little.
On leaving the cafe the group were pleased to find the rain had stopped and there was a good chance we could all get back home without getting wet again. One rider headed straight back to Gloucester via the A38 while the rest of the group headed to Morrison Carpark and through the back lanes towards Walton Cardiff. At this point two riders opted for the shorter route through the houses and hoped the back road was passable. The remaining four kept to the lanes heading towards Tredington and Stoke Orchard. We caught sight of the other two riders who had taken the shorter route at Boddington and eventually caught up with them at Staverton. The group stayed together from this point, until we reached Gloucester when we all took our routes back home. The ride back home for all at least was free of any more rain.
DM