Ten left the square on Alastair’s tour of the cycle paths to Bishop’s Cleeve. An unscheduled dismount in the traps at Southam and wet feet on the new cycle path at Bishop’s Cleeve were the only incidents of note before lunch at Copthorne. A hydration stop in Inkberrow introduced the younger riders to “The Archers” when we visited The Bull, on which Ambridge’s village pub is allegedly modelled. A slow puncture at Great Alne gave the Captain and President an opportunity to investigate a ford, which proved impassable. We visited the Edstone aqueduct, the longest in England, before rehydrating in Snitterfield and making the final push into the wind to Warwick.
The President led us away from the hotel on a private road across the A46 that took us almost immediately into open country. On joining the public highway, we marvelled at how smooth and pothole free it was, and indeed continued to be for as long as we rode within the Shire. That said, we didn’t stay on the tarmac long before tackling a bridleway through Ryton Pools Country Park, regretting that the miniature railway was closed until the next day. With only the President muddying his bike it was a successful transit, followed by a disused railway line to Draycote reservoir where lunch was enjoyed. After its circumnavigation we began a search for an open pub. The first two were closed and on approaching a third our first serious mechanical occurred; a broken gear cable, rear of course. Worse was to come, for the beer at this pub was not good. The party split, with two heading for a cycle shop in Leamington Spa, the others seeking, and finding, better ale at Napton on the Hill.
The final day was bright and clear with a fresh north easterly tailwind. The President headed east on the Grand Union canal to see Stockton Locks, which had been missed the previous day, and the remaining nine left a little later for a journey “straight” home under MG’s leadership. We were reunited just before reaching the Revolution café at Moreton in Marsh. Fortunately, a booking had been made and food set aside for us as a large group had eaten all the sausages and bacon! From here we entered the Cotswolds and found the benefit of the back wind more than offset by the hilliness of the terrain. Still, there were some fords to entertain us and beautiful views from the hill tops. An afternoon refresher, liquid for some but in one case consisting of a full roast dinner, was enjoyed at Guiting Power before the final push up to and across the Salt Way and the run for home.
A full report will be in the next issue of Spokespiece.