Lesson vale cycle club ride 457 Sunday 2nd July 2023.
Before I start I want to remind everyone that on Wednesday evening at 7pm the cycle club is holding a net session yes your chance to rid yourself of that stress facing the bowling machine. Protective kit will be available if you want it.
I have been asked as well if we want to enter a soft ball team to play on Sunday morning a knockout event, the bar will be open the beer will be on sale and it could be a good chance to get your name in the headlines. I think Owen is recovered enough to manage the squad. Let me know if you are interested.
Today’s rides would be ridden with a strong chilly westerly wind which I can tell you now seemed to blow in your face all ride. Four on the sporty Michael and Peter were picking David up in Newent on the Advanced and I was glad when Brian and Chris chose the intermediate as a week of high protein chips and beer had probably taken its toll on my fitness, David and Ken must have had similar thoughts as they joined us too. So off we went Orridge Street and Middletown Lane, Chris was setting a good pace and at the end of Middletown lane Chris Hutchinson was waiting for us or some one but we would do and he joined on and we were soon climbing up to Kents Green and yes from there to the Newent rd it certainly was a westerly wind. David was waiting for Peter and Michael at the bottom of the climb up through the black current fields with the fruit hanging like grapes on there leafy plants. A regroup at the top and then down and up to Clifford’s Meanse, the wind still seemingly a head one never seeming to alter. Now the road went downhill all the way into Newent, a few cars we met were made interesting by the uncut roadsides narrowing the already narrow lanes but we were all down safely and now crossing through to Oxenhall and on towards Kempley but turning before the motorway towards Dymock and the fast slightly downhill stretch, Chris Hutchinson had found his cycling legs after a long day of cricket yesterday led us all the way to Dymock where we regrouped and the continued on Crowfield lane, the pace was still strong all the way to Bromsberrow and Chris now joined by David on the first stretch of Albright lane setting a tough pace into once again a stiff wind Hutch sat on his tail me and Ken trying to hang on, those chips taking there toll now, but David pressed on all the way to Cooks lane trying to take the finishing kick out of the rest of us but there was a dark horse looming his name was Brian he took the lead just before Gadfield Elm as we descended the hill he put the hammer down, We just sat there and he led us back to the club, meaning we were back in good time to get the brew on. Di and Adrian were next back then the Advanced and finally the sporty group minus Wayne, who had had a couple of punctures and made his way home alone without his tyre leavers having left them on the road. It everyone back safely.
So we have a busy week Sunday 9th July whether we play or not there is an afternoon of cricket and beer festival running all weekend, 1st 11.playing Saturday and Charlie and Pauls memorial fun day on Sunday so please join us your all invited.
Yellow leader.