LEADON VALE CYCLE CLUB RIDE 418 Sunday 31st July 2022.
On arrival at the club I thought I hadn’t bought enough biscuits, the village hall carpark was full of cyclists, but it wasn’t long before I found out that there was a 50 mile road race taking place. Today’s groups of rides are a favourite of mine and one I wanted Graham to enjoy but he was away watching the rugby at the commonwealth games so maybe next time.
But another good turn out meant we had a sporty and an Advanced ride which were both well supported and we left before the road race got underway, the sporty went out on the Malvern rd and we left the village on the Ledbury rd to the Lowbands turning where we climbed to Red Ditch lane and on through Redmarley to Bromsberrow . Adrian sat on the front setting a good pace and soon we were crossing Greenway cross past Leddington and over the Dymock rd and the climb up to the pillar box turning by the wind turbine which is where the sporty ride caught and passed us and new man Kerry was still holding on to the the group as they shot passed, we pressed on up into Kempley turning right by the church and the long drag up on to the Kempley ridge before dropping down to the Ross golf course, crossing the road and the climb to the Linton ridge rd passed the Alma inn and the steady climb up to the viewing gateway where we always stop and admire the fantastic uninterrupted views of Wales one side and England on the other. Drink and snacks taken on we were off again now dropping down to Barrell lane, a lovely lane introduced to me by the Tuesday ride this lane runs along the back of May Hill, and emerges on the Longhope rd so a quick stretch of main rd then dropping into Church rd through the village and crossing the rd at the end into Velthouse lane another beautiful lane emerging at Blaisdon down the hill and winding our way through to Northwood green and chapel lane to Birdwood over the A40 and now it started raining so we stopped Ken put his rain coat on then took it off as it had stopped then put it back on as it started again heavier now through Tibberton but at High Leadon the coat came off again for good this time, Derek now stating a good pace home and through Blackwells end I’ve not seen this for a long time there was an increase in pace and the push for home was on lit up by Derek and Rob everybody trying to get a tow into Orridge street it was only the sight of a horse which slowed the pace and disrupted the final push but we all got back safely and managed to miss the mass road race.
The tea pot was brewed and a well earned brew was enjoyed.
Thanks to everyone who rode and helped out today and I hope you enjoyed that ride as much as I did.
Yellow leader.