At last the latest heatwave has broken and so the early start called for long sleeve jerseys or arm warmers for the first time in weeks. The drought was still in full force, though, so we expected, and found, parched looking fields as we meandered through the country lanes. The meandering began with the effort to avoid continuing construction works on Northgate then we picked our way to the green path to Staverton, leaving it for Boddington from where we, unusually, continued along the main road to Uckington. Elmstone Hardwicke came next then Tredington and Gotherington, passing just south of Fiddington along the way. By now the leader’s theme for the day was becoming evident – have you spotted it yet?
Turning north through Woolstone and bypassing Oxenton we swept through Teddington, Alstone, and Alderton, sampling the TT course between villages as did. We turned toward Dumbleton then with a swing through Wormington we were at the station halt in Toddington, having eschewed Stanton in favour of achieving a timely arrival.
Coffee, cakes, steam trains, and motor bikes were variously sampled, experienced, and admired before the day’s true challenge. The clouds had cleared, the arm warmers were discarded, and loins were girded in anticipation of the hot ascent of Salter’s Hill. The heat was too much for one rider, who dismounted between the cattle grids, but all reached the summit and Roel Gate in safety, before descending to Brockhampton and Sevenhampton. After Whittington came Ham Hill. Up and over we went, through Charlton Kings, Leckhampton, and Shurdington to eventually regain the greenway back into Longlevens.
The temptation to sing with (apologies to “Tennessee” Ernie Ford) was almost too strong to resist:
Some people say a man is made out of mud, a cyclist’s made out of muscle and blood,
Muscle and blood, skin and bones, a mind that’s tough and a back that’s strong.
You ride sixteen _tons and what do you get? Another cup of coffee and six more yet,
Saint Peter don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go, I must get home to finish my ride.
Thanks to Kevin B for an entertaining theme for the day.
Ten met in the square, including a new guest rider, on a morning that actually felt cool to those with a single layer. We left the city via NCR41 as far as Estcourt Road, and then to the green path where we were joined by No 11. Following the cycle path we bagged our first ‘ton villiage at Staverton. Then on to Boddington and via the Tewkesbury road over the M5 to pass through Uckigton. We looped back through Elmstone Hardwicke, one rider returning home for work commitments. It was then off to Treddington via Bozard lane and Gotherington Fields across the A435 to loop in and back out of Gotherington. Back on the main road Oxenton was bypassed with a quick sprint to the turn for Alstone via Teddington. By way of Little Washbourne we bagged Alderton, looped north to Wormington then south to coffee at Toddington Station, collecting another rider along the way. At the station we met a sour pedestrian who objected to our route into the station and intentionally bumped a lady rider.
After open air refreshment one rider departed early and another diverted for home before we attempted the climb of Salters lane. Unusually high traffic on the hill included a convoy of vintage tractors and cars but all made it safely to the summit A diversion from the planned route was taken on advice of a more knowledgeable captain and we made our way to Cheltenham with a descent of Ham hill, bagging Brockhampton,
Severnhampton and Whittington along the way. Various routes were used between Charlton Kings and lunch where we were spoilt for a choice of refreshing ales.
About 48 miles and ten ‘tons.
KB
