Ride 409 Sunday 17th April 2022

Ride 409 Easter Sunday.

Well with the promise of a beautiful morning ahead of us and a great ride into the Forest of Dean ahead of us it was great to see so many out on Easter Sunday. A heavy evening at the Rugby meant Wayne was feeling a little frail and joined us on the Advanced ride instead of joining Andrew and Owen on the Sporty ride.

We were off Blackwells end through to Highleadon and Tibberton and the pace was strong With Terry taking it easy Chamberlain and Wayne setting the pace I think we all knew we were in for an honest ride meaning in Huntley layers were having to be shed so everyone was cool through Blaisdon but knowing we had some lumpy bits to come. The Flaxley valley was as beautiful as ever with wild flowers and blossom lining the road to the Littledean turning and the long steady climb up to Littledean certainly warmed the legs up but they had time to recover on the run down past Soudley ponds and Soudley where we then headed towards Rusbridge and Cinderford. Now along the industrial estate on a newly tar Mac’d road which was a great improvement on the old surface and when we got to the steam mills traffic lights and Wayne led us up the footpath to the Drybrook road without going around a very steep bit of road having to change lanes in the process so this was easy. Drybrook and another long climb up past the Drybrook Rugby club to the Stenders and the drop into Mitcheldean and on to the Lee all down hill so when we hit the climb up to The Penny Farthing the legs were in shock but soon got some relief through Aston Ingham and on Newent and the group split on the Tewkesbury road through Upleadon back to the club, once again Ken missed the break and had to put up with my company on the final push.

Adrian had been off road and had joined us for a cup of tea and biscuit and a chat. My only concern on leaving the club was no sign of Owen and Andrew, I hope they were home before us and had gone.

Thanks to everyone who rode and helped out today.

Yellow leader.

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