A group of about a dozen (we picked up a couple of strays before Highnam, so it may have been 13 or 14) left Gloucester via Minsterworth and Northwood Green. After Flaxley we began the climb to Dene Magna, regrouping at the Spout Lane junction to wave goodbye to Gerry McG and Simon C, one heading to church and the other home. Spout Lane and Jubilee Road followed, but at the junction with Plump Hill there was a long gap after the first group. After waiting a few minutes the ride leader turned back to seek the laggards, fearing that some misfortune had befallen them, and instead found misfortune himself in the form of a hedge clipping that punctured his rear tyre. Cursing himself for not using his tubeless wheels, he lost so much time that he abandoned the ride in favour of the warmth and welcome at Hart’s Barn’s Dairy Tea Room.
The leaders and laggards successfully continued their rides, albeit on different routes, to the Engine Shed in Ross on Wye and enjoyed a remarkably sunny, mild, and clear January day.
MT