LEADON VALE CYCLE CLUB RIDE 495 Sunday 19th May 2024.
Firstly a Bob update, iPhones and spike to him and apart from some new aches and some gravel rash nothing broke thank goodness and thanks to Steve who stayed with him until he got rescued.
The sun certainly got you out today, we welcomed back Andy Crawshaw, Rob Braybrook, Julie and Alan back from Spain, who all joined us today and it’s days like today that we rode all winter to make these day enjoyable.
2 good groups left the club Sporty and an advanced, with the sporty heading towards Ashleworth, we turned into Orridge street and Blackwell’s end out to Highleadon where Frank and Stewart pushed on Doc started to be led astray at first but he realised before it was too late and dropped back to our group. He led us down the busy road to Tibberton where we were all together and good banter about tour, Julie was informing us on her cycle tour to Vietnam and 2 other countries in temperatures of 38 degrees so making us feel happy with our morning. Bully lane on to Church lane before dropping down to the climb up to Chaxhill and around the lanes around Rodley it was here we saw a massive tractor and spreader luckily we were at a pull in at the time but unfortunately the same tractor and the sudden braking of the sporty group caused Bobs fall, but unaware of what had happened we pushed on back over the A48 and the climb up to Northwood Green and on to Blaisdon looking splendid in the sun with the signs out for the road closure on June the 9th for the soap box race which we hate crashed last year. Now we crossed the Longhope rd in to Hinders lane a good climb or a cheeky little pull as Maggie would say which climbed us up to the A40 a little way along we turned to the Glasshouse and more climbing as the Sporty boys sped passed muttering about the climbing, but at my pace it was very enjoyable taking in the flowers and the smells but wondering where Bob and Steve were. A regroup before dropping down Judges lane passed the roadworks and following Newent lane to a little lane taking us into Watery lane where we said good day to Julie and now David took a strong lead through Newent hook lane and Middletown lane into what seemed to be a stiff warm breeze, but home was in sight and apart from David setting for home early and Ken and Maggie raving for the finish watched by Doc who was shouting words of encouragement for Maggie.
A brew and a chat on a good day in the saddle.
Yellow leader.