LEADON VALE CYCLE CLUB RIDE 410 Sunday 24th April 2022..
A windy start greeted us a strong North Easterly but thankfully the sun was out making it a little warmer. We welcomed Duncan who decided to join us this morning after moving to Ahsleworth a few years ago and also Andy Christy setting his alarm clock for an early ride with what looked like a very strong Sporty group. So 9.30 and we were off the sporty group leading us away with Wayne and Terry doing the sporty ride a bit slower, next Maggie leading the Advanced group away with Duncan and myself sitting on the back until our intermediate ride took a different route. We went out on the Malvern road turning right in Pendock to upper Pendock then through to Birtsmorton where the rides varied, Me and Duncan ride up Longdons Marsh and Bear lane to Longdon then on to Tunnel hill into a very strong wind but the sun was out and the Malvern hills looked splendid in the distance rising above the growing fields of crops and grass, we dropped down through Upton and over the bridge and around though Rhyall.
Knowing we were in front we pushed on around the loop leading us across the A38 towards Uckinghall a beautiful village which seems to change with the seasons today full of blossom, and passing the ferry turning and remembering the story told by Brucie , of how the owner of Croome park would take his horses and hounds over on it for a days hunting, I think that was right or it was Ken going down there looking for Dolphins as we didn’t see any in Westbury.
Pushing on up the climb to Puckrup and around Church lane, we hadn’t been passed so we were doing ok, Duncan coping very well up the Mythe and now the drag over the bridge to the Forthampton turning still no sign of anyone, with a tailwind we kept up a good pace through Chaceley and as we heade through town street a lonely figure behind us caught us at the Tirly cross roads it was Owen, Blown then all away Owen I said, he mumbled some thing about blowing out his a## and how he had missed the Bushley loop I had added in so with Owen pushing on to get the teapot on it wasn’t long before the sporty train passed us Andrew, Andy and Matt going like the wind, closely being chased by Bob. Up through Ashleworth and back to club to find some weary looking sporty boys. It wasn’t long before Terry, Wayne and the others were all home safely to a very welcome cup of tea and well deserved Chocolate bar kindly donated by Mat.
Thanks to everyone who rode and helped out today with Tour on the very near horizon it’s good to be getting some miles in the legs.
See you all next week or on an evening ride if you want to join us.
Yellow leader.