It’s been said so many times before but as a ride leader, when the weather is forecast to be bad, you are sort of obliged to visit the Square then make the decision. Unfortunately, six other people had the same idea so a discussion was had with the general consensus being, let’s ride to the cafe but make it pretty direct. I decided I would introduce everyone to the newly laid tarmac through Sandhurst. A quick blast on the A38 then a right past Hatherley Manor before joining the green ‘Mile’ which we followed all the way into Cheltenham. Along the way we were joined by another rider, though how he had divined our route we would never know. We then joined the Honeybourne Line to Pittville Park.
At this point, navigation was taken over by Malcolm T for a short while to lead us along the new route through the edge of the Park before we reached Evesham Rd. On Evesham Rd we picked up another finished section of the green ‘Mile’ to the racecourse. Through the racecourse, though avoiding any jumps, we turned down Kayte Lane (another section of newly lain tarmac) where it started to rain heavily again. Luckily we chose to stay on the road, for the adjacent cycle path was completely underwater. Knowing we were a short distance from the cafe we felt OK.
Great coffee stop at Black Gold Café who made us welcome and had reserved for us a couple of tables. Another quick discussion about the route home left us taking the road to Gotherington before the traditional route back through Tredington, Boddington etc. It was at this point that two of us found ourselves off the front. Appreciate we were being a bit selfish but we were keen to get home, dry out and get warm. I also knew the remaining riders, who delayed to fix a broken mudguard with aip ties, were in safe hands to find the way home.
Not sure how many miles covered but felt great after I walked in the door, got the wet kit off and had a nice warm bath