For the Captain’s third ride leadership on the trot (the previous two were emergency stand-ins) six brave riders turned up at the appointed hour of 8.30am. Not deterred by the health warning of hills to come! The hills are alive with the sound of…complaints!
As notified, the start was to Nut Hill and Fiddlers Elbow. Here, the leader started to ad lib: Cranham road had a good looking surface of recent application, so we gave it a go to the bottom – fast and smooth! The little climb to the Black Horse had not had the benefit of recent attention, and the car park and track beyond was up to its usual roughness, much to the delight of some; less so for others. A couple of zigs and back to the new surface and final ascent to the top. Making it up as we went along, we stayed on the rolling road towards Slad, taking the third left to cut across on a little used lane to The Camp; towards Bisley and a sneaky lane on the left – again, indifferent surface deteriorated on the steep descent to a farm, with an equally poor surface back up: arrows both ways, no walkers.
Into Bisley for a surprise right turn, swinging left and after a mile or so another, well disguised, left – another super-narrow rarely used lane. This took us gently down to pass the wonderful Nether Lypiatt Manor – quite breathtakingly beautiful and with good views west to the Stroud tops. The descent to Toadsmoor valley was precipitously steep – Garmin claimed -26% or thereabouts. Not for the faint-hearted, and not a good one for a wet winter’s ride. It certainly warmed up the braking pads / rims / discs.
Next, under the main Chalford – Stroud road for a stonkingly steep climb up to Minchinhampton at Burnt Ash. This lane started off steep and lacking surface – four of the group took to walking almost immediately. It was left to the President and Captain to struggle onwards and slowly upwards. Two gentlemen walking down were most impressed, until the Captain became entangled in ivy hanging off a wall and was rudely halted: that’s my explanation! A short skip to a driveway presented an opportunity to remount and continue. Any photo of the ‘walk’ is almost certainly AI generated!
Regrouping at a ‘junction’ the leader opted for the (relatively) easy route to the top. From here it was south, then a sharp and well disguised right (we overshot by a yard or two) to take in a new lane for the Captain (more highlighting of the map at home required). So into Minch; some left turns took us by way of naughty youngsters into the quaint village of Box: a Cotswold delight. Popping out at the top of the ‘W’ it was a well earned smooth fast descent to Nailsworth and coffee at The Canteen – arriving just before 11am and most importantly just ahead of the ‘easy’ ride. Timing is everything!
Post coffee, four opted for the lunch ride. Avening, taking note of the old steam engine in someone’s front garden, another new lane (Rectory Lane) took us above the village and onto the road to Cherington – another lovely ride. Despite building clouds to the west, we proceeded east with a helpful tailwind to Culkerton: views across to the old Jumbo jets awaiting the cutters knife at Kemble (sorry, Cotswold) Airport. We were entertained by a vintage car event going in the opposite direction – a nice blast from the past. A useful bridleway cut-through took us to Kemble Wick, then Kemble and back NW to our destination of The Crown at Frampton Mansel., with just a short delay at Tarlton to avoid a light shower. The Crown also provided sanctuary from a heavier shower, so a second refreshment was required.
Home on damp roads via Daneway, Whiteway and Sanitorium Road (showing my age, there): three opted for the new surface of Portway, which was a delight even if wet. A perfect new road all the way. Hope it stays that way! All got home nice and dry. 61 miles.
TW