Leadon vale cycle club ride 469 Sunday 8th October 2023.
A beautiful morning to behold blue skies with whisky vapour trails from aeroplanes zig zagging the sky. With the urn on it was a pleasure to be able to be out on a morning like this and there was a nice group assembled for the off, and with Andy Christy out we all knew there was no rain in the forecast.
4 on the super Sporty ride, with Steve Alan and Wayne chasing them on a steadier sporty leaving Maggie, Stuart, Adrian and myself on the Advanced. We all left together and it wasn’t long before the groups had sorted themselves out Orridge street and Middletown lane through to Newent, the town was still asleep and very quiet as we passed through and up Watery lane where we took a little lane through to culver street where David was waiting for us to appear ,we followed to Judges lane probably the best lane to get to the Glasshouse the sun shining on us as we passed the glasshouse and started the climb up which was a first for me and found it quite steep but achievable by us all, stopping at the junction of all saints rd to admire the views and this is where Andy McDonald passed I us his own on a different bike to the one he started on so something had gone wrong but he pushed on determined to catch the others up. All saints lane down to Ganders lane and the A40 and a brief trip along it bought us to Hinders lane which took us across the Longhope rd and through to Blaisdon, and the at the bottom we took the Blaisdon lane through to the A48 a different way to get to Westbury on Severn and GE A48 didn’t disappoint us very busy and not very enjoyable but soon we were turning at Westbury village hall and back on to the quiet lanes of Rodley. We hadn’t rode this road this way for a very long time and it was very pleasant seeing things you don’t see the other way it was nice to see so many walkers and not so nice were the huge agricultural machines we encountered, and soon we were once again crossing the A48 towards Grange court rd dropping down before climbing up over the railway line to Northwood green and we followed this lane through to Birdwood and once again crossing the A40 into Bully lane it was along here that David had got stung on his head so we stopped to administer a certain amount of banter and feeling relieved it wasn’t Stuart and then as we stood Adrian once again fell off his bike I think that’s 5 times in 3 rides and none of them was he moving.
We passed my son in law running on our way to Tibberton and now we all knew the well trodden road back to the club via Bkackwells end, and Orridge street. As we got back both sporty rides were home and we were joined by Terry for a brew and soon Di and Gill who had gone a bit further now Di has Sonic mode on her bike, but all joking aside I have seen the future I am very impressed with Di’s bike it seems to have given her a new sense of achievement, that little boost just helps at that point when it’s needed most. Just sat Di what she thinks.
A good chat in the sun outside on the benches in October what could be better.
Thanks to all who rode and helped out today.
Yellow leader.