LEADON VALE CYCLE CLUB RIDE 448 Sunday 23rd April 2023.
A milder morning greeted us, well a bit but I was still not shorts ready but it did have a warmer feeling, and with a packet of David’s favourites in my bag I was so pleased to see him waiting for me to arrive. The urn was full and the numbers were good, it was good to see Brucie out albeit with a sore knee hoping a gentle Intermediate would do it good. It was nice to see all the rides being used today the sporty group set off followed by Maggie Chris and Frank, Maggie just back from a training camp in Majorca where she rode in formation which was rotated by someone blowing a whistle, so I’m hoping she hadnt bought one out with her today. I joined Brucie, Ken and David on an intermediate, a personal favourite of mine and a first for Brucie. We set off the wrong way throwing the Garmins in to meltdown but once we hit Upleadon they had caught up and led via Middletown lane to Newent lots of road closed signs but none were and the old Market house covered in scaffolding ready for some renovation work. Watery lane and in to and over the Conigree road a gentle climb leading us onto the Ross rd which we followed to the Aston Ingham rd and on to the great Barrel lane, with the church bells ringing we stopped and regrouped and related a few funny tales before pushing on, climbing until we dropped down to the A40 and a short spell on there we sailed down church road through Longhope crossing the Monmouth rd into Velthouse lane another glorious lane taking us around the end of Mayhill to Blaisdon. From Blaisdon we dropped down to the Flaxley turning and we turned away from Flaxley following the lanes through Northwood green eventually ending up in Huntley. We crossed at the lights where Andrew flew passed us, and passed the old Golf course and down the hill at Solomons Tump it was here we bumped into my daughter and the grandkids so we stopped to say hello for a minute or two but it wasn’t long before Wayne, Bob and Birthday boy Chris went flying past us so the Sporty ride had split and just before Tibberton Andy and Owen passed us. The drag up to Highleadon and the roadworks had just left enough room for us to squeeze through which we did with a group of motorcycles, David and Brucie having a good chat and in Blacwells end Maggie Frank and Alan caught and passed us and Ken latched on to them and shot off. David was getting a bit twitchy in Orridge street as he knew everyone was home and that his packet of malted milk biscuits were at risk so he raised the pace the chatting stopped and there was a sense of urgency came over him. Luckily Chris had bought some birthday cake and the malted milk were safe. Di and Gill were there having done the Scenic ride.
Happy birthday Chris and thanks to everyone who rode and helped out today.
It’s not too late to join us on tour just let Steve or David Price know, David and Peter have checked routes and the hotel so we already owe them a huge thanks.
Yellow leader.