The glorious recent and forecast weather tempted three to explore off road alternatives to the Club’s road ride to Lydney. Two opted for an early (eight o’clock) start; the Social Secretary followed later. Had he been too social the previous evening?
After a brief taster across Ley Common the main course began at Elton with a glorious climb past the stables to Blaize Bailey. Along the way JR (no, not the one that was shot!) had a good discussion with the land owner about his sheep. After checking out the lookout we concluded that a better view of Arlingham horseshoe was available from a nearby car port, the trees below the lookout having grown so high.
A glorious descent to Soudley Ponds called for care, as the corners had recently been refreshed with new gravel, still loose. Daunted by the gradient off road to Bradley Hill we chose to climb the road instead, resolving to check that path on the way home. From here we were mostly off road past Mallards’ Pike and through Oakenhill Wood to Pillowell, before descending to New Mills. Although “it was all downhill from here” the dog walkers’ track to town is narrow and technical so “we” chose to climb Primrose Hill instead before enjoying the cycle route past the duck pond and along the old railway line to the Harbour branch of Sips for coffee and cake, where we were joined by the roadies and the Social Secretary.
Asked how we were getting back to Gloucester the answer “Back to the Future” puzzled some before it was explained – where we are going there are no roads! It wasn’t quite true but it certainly captured the spirit of the ride. Returning past 17th century Naas House, a stiff road climb led to Highfield and our most challenging secteur of the day: a narrow and overgrown path whose mixed surfaces included sand, rocks, and a deer carcass. Emerging at a private garden we had a friendly conversation with the householder, who acknowledged that not many bikes came that way.
Following a power line to Wenchford we climbed the easy side of the Roman road and found the off road alternative perfectly rideable, as was kindly demonstrated by the cyclist we passed breathing heavily as he rode up. A final foray off road on the Northwood Green bypass gave the Tempo group the opportunity to pass us, only for us to join them at Birdwood and ride their train home along the A40.
