LEADON VALE CYCLE CLUB RIDE 435 Sunday 8th January 2023.
Well the weather forecast said all week rain for Sunday and after yesterday I wasn’t expecting too much but as soon as I got up I rechecked and the rain had gone, so all was looking good as I ride to the club in a blustery wind. It was good to see Steve out probably for the first time since end of November and Adrian Mitra leaving the mountain bike in the shed and out on his road bike, also Bob Spry out..
The Intermediate ride was good for me and I would be joined by Steve, Ken and Wayne. Maggie Adrian Terry decided to do the Advanced with Alan Richard and Andrew along with Bob set off on the Sporty. There was a bit of confusion on leaving the club as to which way we were going but with the confusion over we all left out on the Malvern rd Terry and Adrian trying to keep up with the sporty so Maggie joined us so we had a good group up Dobbs hill working our way to Cooks lane where Terry and Adrian joined us saying that the sporty boys were flying, so now a great group including people I don’t really ride with so Egg Tump in to Albright lane which was covered in thorns for quite a long way so I was expecting a few punctures but there were none we passed Matt Hill And the Glos city boys coming the other way so I hope they avoided the punctures as well. Bromsberrow and a very wet Crowfield lane led us to Dymock and we took the middle road through the woods which kept the wind at bay a little, every body waiting for everyone as we climbed up and through Oxenhall, some of us now looking like we had been cyclocross riding speckled with mud but it was great to be out and the forecast of no rain was holding up as well. Newent behind us as we climbed up watery lane up to Clifford’s Meanse before taking a left and climbed through the woods to the Glasshouse. With the climbing behind us Judges lane was a wet decent back to the Newent rd then Kents Green. The wind had picked up a bit of sun was on our backs and the wind thankfully pushed us through to Hooks lane and a brief walk up the verge to miss some road works we were soon flying down Middletown lane back into Forge lane over the River Leadon which looked very full filling the fields either side but not on the road. Up the hill and you could tell the push for home was on and with that tail wind we were soon pulling into the club. Everyone looking a bit splattered but very happy to have gotten a ride in, and with the tea made it wasn’t long before the sporty ride was home safely minus Bob who had pulled off, and Gill and Di who had rode the scenic ride and I’m sure they would enjoy your company if your thinking of starting or restarting riding. A good chat was had and it was good to see everyone out and listen to the stories, I really enjoyed some good company today making for an enjoyable morning.
See you all next week.
Yellow leader.