With a bright, but cold forecast, it felt like winter had arrived. However, some of us thought the dry conditions would be suitable for a last outing for the summer bikes, although this proved to be foolish. The fastr riders chose to join the tempo group, and I had visions of madly clinging on all ride, but Tadej Pogacar was not with them, and so the group stayed together without significant suffering.
On the weekend of the “Falling Leaves”, some tree debris may have been expected on the roads, but there were a lot more substantial bits of tree than leaves. There was also significant mud and surface water. Leaving Gloucester via Hartpury meant that we caught the steady group at Upleadon, and after exchanging pleasantaries, we continued on to Ketford and Ryton, where one rider stopped with loose handlebar bolts, which must have been alarming on the descentof Poolhill..
The ride leader’s name was mud, much like the surface on the lane to Broom’s Green, and it has to be questioned whether this is a viable route in winter. However, all stayed upright as we pushed on to Much Marcle. More choice names came the ride leader’s way on the climb to Putley, which got to gradients well over 20%. However, all were subdued with excellent coffee and cake at “The Nest”, where we saw groups from Cheltenham and Hereford.
A puncture just before Ledbury was made worse when the pump declined to part with the valve of the new tube, a scenario that proved fatal for both. However, the beauty of group rides is that there is plenty of backup, and another tube was inflated with a different pump. The return over the Hollybush, and then Wainlodes added some additional climbing to what had been a very enjoyable morning out, even if the sun never really appeared,
Not quite as long as Il Lombardia. 60 miles, 3,500′ ascent @ 15.2mph.