Fifteen riders left the square on a bright Sunday morning heading out to Nailsworth. The group left via Westgate Street and down to Bearlands where a left turn was taken, past the old prison and across the brightly painted crossing towards Gloucester Docks. Over the swing bridge and onto the Quays when the group turned onto the canal towpath. Passing lots of anglers, setting themselves up for a day of fishing, or topping up their tan, especially the ones sitting on the bend of the canal. Back onto the road at Sims Lane which is when the ride leader decided to mix the route up a little and not follow the original posted route. On through the alleys and across the A38 and into Kingsway. At this point the ride leader was subject to some barracking from a few local riders who could have stayed in bed for an extra 30 minutes. Through Kingsway and onto Nass Lane, when a rider who was working a late shift decided to head back home and fifteen became fourteen. Onto Haresfield before we joined the Gloucester to Stonehouse Road. A quick sprint on this road and a turn right at Stonehouse Church took us into quieter lanes, before joining the A38. Again, a quick sprint along the A38 to Whitminster, before a left turn at the Old Forge Inn.
A short rest was taken here for riders to grab a drink and Howard made the decision to return to Gloucester due to a strange noise from his rear wheel. We were now down to thirteen, but the rest of the group carried on through to Oldends Stonehouse. Over the roundabout and up the climb into Eastington. Again, a quick stop for refreshments and another headcount, which showed one rider was missing! The ride leader turned back to find the missing rider with no success. The decision was made, with a group of twelve riders to continue with the route, as the missing rider was experienced and capable of taking care of himself. Continuing along the Bath Road towards Frocester when muttering were heard from some “he’s not going up Frocester Hill, this is a novice ride?” All fears were quashed as the leader turned left towards Leonard Stanley and onto Ryeford. The group joined the cycleway at Ryeford and followed this until we reached Nailsworth where we stopped at The Canteen for refreshments. It was at this point that we met back with the missing rider who had made his own way to the coffee stop. This rider turned back to find another rider who he had thought had been dropped, but couldn’t find them. This was because said rider had not been dropped and was with the main group. Refreshments were taken, and the group followed the cycleway back towards Stroud, and at this point the group split in two, with one group heading home via the Slad Valley. The other group carried along the cycleway to Ryeford before heading back to Gloucester via Stonehouse, Haresfield and Brookthorpe.
DM