LEADON VALE CYCLE CLUB CRICKET PITCH RIDE Sunday 2nd October 2022.
What a great family we all belong to whether it be cycling or cricket, the challenge was thrown down by us to ride 54 miles and visit as many local cricket clubs on the way. A huge thanks to Steve for coming up with the route 11 pitches in total. I must say that the BBC weather app caused us a lot of stress with heavy rain forecast but then miraculously turning into a gorgeous day.
There were a lot of club members turn up and joining us were about 15 cricketers some just brushing the cobwebs off their bikes and others who have been do inning a bit of training but it was so good to see so many. So the 6/7 club members went first and the the rest of us left. It was clear early on that there were some natural groups appearing on the road which was good for the busier roads but at the first ground the Woodpeckers we all regrouped. Along the Ham now to Tirley and the out and back to Apperley cricket club and there were certainly a few tails to be told there, but we pushed on back through Tirley to Eldersfield and a regrouping at the entrance to the ground, and on we pushed around linked to Corse Lawn cricket club a brief stop to relive a few stories of games past. Now down to Chaceley it was down here that I realised that Tom Dudfield was riding his granddads bike ( Tim) I remember him riding that over from Mayhill to watch cricket very early in the cycling clubs history so in a way he was with us. Forthampton and it was here that Phil had come to the aid of Matt Dudfield who had been subject to a bit of chaffing so Phil got some padded shorts for him from home and that seemed to ease the pain. So Bushley cricket club behind us heading down the Rampings through some thorns it wasn’t long before we came across Jon Hulls with a flat but in true managerial style Mikey G had mended it and was pumping it up while Jon had a cigarette the others pushed on we made sure everything was OK the pushed on along Longdons Marsh one or two starting to look as if they were not enjoying it and at Rye cross Matt called it a day having done really well, Klenchers Mill next and the next cricket ground at Eastnor a superb ground by the castle but no time to reminisce we could smell the coffee so up to the Malvern road and at last nice decent into Ledbury. With Ledburys many cafes we spread out and some were in the feathers a few beers were enjoyed but everybody seemed happy when we got back on the road to Ledbury Cricket club a new ground staring to mature on the edge of town. Leddington lane took us through to Greenway cross and up into Brooms Green, it was here that Phil, Helen, James and Tom who had earlier threatened to but grandads bike in the skip left us for home a great effort and a good time to bail out. We decended down to Dymock cricket club and a few not so good memories for some here, but a photo opportunity was taken anyway.
The lovely lane through Dymock woods took us up to the Newent road and the lumpy stretch to Oxenhall and the Three Ashes lane which took us to Newent cricket club home of the 3’s but the going was getting tougher out the other end of Three Ashes and a brief downhill onto the Redmarley rd and a really sharp climb up Pool Hill but the worst was yet to come a drop down to Payford Bridge and the long steady climb up to Durbridge lane and the Causeway. That was the last of the climbs there were a few broken bodies out there but everybody giving there utmost. Redmarley cricket club stood before us a very hard one to get to but we did it and so no one ceased up we pushed on Chartist Lane and Mill lane and the last drag up to Dobbs hill and one last push back from Gadfield elm led by Alan and one last regrouping at the roundabout and a group ride to the club.
It was time for a beer on a job well done and I’m sure we all had a few thoughts of people friends who couldn’t ride with us but would have put their names first on the list to take part, but it felt like they were with us.
It was also a memorable ride for the cycle club it was 10’years ago Friday that we had our first ride so Happy Birthday LVCC.
I was very proud at the way we supported and looked after our guests and I had checked everyone got home safely but I think sat outside the club there were a few smiles breaking through the grimaces a good effort by you all.
