The Magnificent Seven rode out of town, progress hampered not by gunslingers but by traffic on the canal towpath: cyclists, runners, walkers, dogs, pushchairs, and a mobility scooter. The Wild West it isn’t! Too eager to leave this traffic behind and get onto quiet roads, our ride leader had to be dissuaded from turning to Riversmead and the sewage works, instead continuing to Rea bridge. Newbie John was prevented from offering a coffee stop at his home in Elmore by our use of the bypass, NCN41, to reach Longney.
The pace being a conversational one, we discussed the benefits or otherwise of the electronic gears being sported by M’s new gravel bike before moving on to weightier matters of life and death. Deep in conversation as he was, a chorus of voices was again necessary to remind the leader to pay attention, this time to take the turn to the Arlingham horseshoe, before we risked our lives crossing the Bristol Road at Whitminster. To show he was alert, at the next opportunity he advised a change in the planned route, taking a tour of Greater Oldbury before joining the newly resurfaced rail trail at Ryeford.
Eschewing the canal, partly for fear of further congestion and partly out of respect for the majority who were not on gravel bikes, we arrived at an unfamiliar café bang on eleven o’clock. The Star Anise is tucked behind the former Old Painswick Inn, now repurposed as the Biodynamic Agricultural College, and offers a very cycle friendly reception.
Over cups of tea that we were surprised to find were Earl Grey (next time we’ll know to order English Breakfast) the route home was the topic of conversation. The weather being beautiful, and the wind set fair, it was agreed that John should be introduced to the climb of Slad Road. Since we all reached the summit at Bidfield Barns together his introduction was considered such a success that a further couple of climbs before Journey’s End were called for. Cranham village and Catsbrain Quarry duly obliged, after which we dispersed on our various ways home.
65km and a respectable 640m of climbing were achieved, despite the flat outbound route.
MT
