LEADON VALE CYCLE CLUB RIDE 532 Sunday 13th April 2025.
Firstly happy 90th birthday Clive, Clive rode with us for many years with his wife Di so from all of us we hope you had a great day.
Lots of people at the club before the off and the threat of a drop of the wet stuff in the air, so the sporty group led us away and a rather large group on the advanced and an intermediate ride out and hopefully joining with Gill and Aileen who were on the intermediate also.
Our group the Advanced light split from the advanced as the group was too big to be safe and we rode with the intermediate ride down Blackwell’s end and on to Tibberton where on Huntley ride we caught sight of Gill and Aileen in the distance so hopefully the joined up on the road. We pushed on through Huntley and Blaisdon Frank setting a strong pace pulling us all along allowing us to enjoy the views down the Severn valley before turning into Flaxley valley and with the bluebells starting to turn the woodland floor blue it was as pleasing as ever to ride through there, and now the climb up to Littledean I always forget how long this climb is and gradually gets steeper at the top but we all made it over and onto the junction in Littledean where a drink was taken before we turned by the chip shop this is where Frank’s derailleur caught in his wheel locking it up and causing him to fall so a worrying time for a few moments until we checked him over and made sure he was ok but his rear wheel was completely locked solid. So our third emergency service was called Adrian, who gratefully came and rescued Frank who had made his way to the Belfry for Coffee or maybe something stronger I don’t know.
So now there were 4 of us and we dropped down past Soudley ponds and Soudley where the sheep and lambs were grazing in the village. We now climbed up into Rusbridge and into the bottom of Cinderford and along the valley road. Once into the industrial area it was a real contrast to the beauty of the forest the large industrial units dominating the view through to Steam mills where road was busy and the drivers seemed to Igbo tour arm signals as we tried to cross to avoid the awful junction there. But cross we did and soon we were through Drybrook and through the cutting and the decent down to the turning to the Lee a lovely lane leading us through to Aston Crewe’s and the Penny Farthing where we regrouped before dripping down to Aston Ingham and the quiet road through to the Connigree, I had forgot this sharp little climb it always catches me out but a little out of breath we said goodbye to David in watery lane, so now there were were 3 through Newent onto the Gloucester Road into Hooks lane and back home on the well trodden route through Middletown lane and Orridge street. We were last back so I can only hope everyone was back safely, Adrian had confirmed he had got Frank home safely.
Thanks to all who rode today.
Yellow leader.