As we left over Westgate Bridge, Paul cried out “Please, please help me”, so John, Ringo and George stopped. With a little help from his friends, the puncture was quickly fixed, and we continued. Sadly, I cannot claim a Penny Lane on the route through Tibberton and Taynton to Huntley and Blaisdon, nor can I claim to have seen Lady Madonna or Father McKenzzie outside Flaxley Church.
Previous experience warned us about about the 4,000 holes on the way down from Littledean to Newnham, so that was avoided with a detour through Norwegian Wood to Soudley and Blackpool Bridge. Some surprising little pitches on the A48 took us to coffee at the Silver Fox, where Sgt Pepper was already installed at our table waiting for us.
After coffee, nobody spotted any yellow submarines on our short ride alongside the full River Severn, before we took to lanes back to Birdwood. An enjoyable morning out, although at no time was there any shout of “Here comes the sun”.
46 miles, 2,300′ ascent @14.9mph.
Thanks to the Silver Fox for excellent coffee and refreshments, and for their former customers for inspiring this report.
